Utah State University, two other schools headed for the PAC 12 next year allege Mountain West Conference of fraud in lawsuit
Aug 8, 2025, 6:43 PM
Top Utah leaders have asked Utah State University to intervene on behalf of a women's volleyball player who is suing the Mountain West Conference to prevent a San Jose State player from participating in the conference tournament this month. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State University and two other schools headed for the PAC 12 next year are suing the Mountain West Conference claiming they’re withholding tens of millions of dollars from them.
Utah State, Boise State and Colorado State are accusing the Mountain West of withholding tens of millions of dollars owed to them after they announced their plans to switch conferences.
According to court documents obtained by The Athletic this includes things like travel reimbursements and payments for financial aid. As well the money Boise State earned for making last year’s inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
The schools claim their exit fees of $19 million per school are unlawful and unenforceable.
They’re also claiming the conference misled them about adding Grand Canyon University earlier than expected, after some schedules and budgets for this year were already set.
In a statement, the Mountain West says they are confident in their legal position and will vigorously defend it.
Related: Utah State Aggies Expected To Accept Pac-12 Conference Offer
