San Francisco, California – The Pac-12 has taken legal action against the Mountain West conference in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in the Northern District of California, challenging what they describe as an unenforceable “poaching fee.” This fee was added to a scheduling agreement established last year between the two conferences, aiming to deter the Pac-12 from recruiting schools from the Mountain West. The Mountain West imposed a hefty penalty of over $10 million per school for any poaching attempts, in addition to the $17 million exit fee required from departing schools.
In recent weeks, the Pac-12 successfully added five schools from the Mountain West to their conference roster: Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Utah State. The agreement stipulates that the Pac-12 would be liable for more than $50 million in poaching fees alone, even before addressing the exit fees for each school. The Pac-12 argues that the poaching penalty violates antitrust laws and seeks to have it declared invalid by the court.
Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez responded to the lawsuit, defending the legality and importance of the poaching penalty in protecting the conference’s interests. She emphasized that the Mountain West implemented this provision to safeguard its member institutions and ensure their future viability. The battle between the two conferences extends beyond financial obligations, as it plays a crucial role in the future realignment of collegiate athletic conferences.
The poaching penalty is set to remain in effect until at least Aug. 1, 2027, posing a strategic challenge for both the Pac-12 and the Mountain West. The outcome of the lawsuit could potentially influence UNLV’s decision regarding its conference membership, as the university plays a pivotal role in meeting the NCAA’s minimum team requirements for both leagues. The Pac-12’s legal challenge raises questions about the validity of contractual agreements in the world of collegiate sports and the complex dynamics of conference realignment.
As the legal battle unfolds, UNLV is grappling with the implications of potentially leaving the Mountain West after more than two decades of membership. The financial stakes involved in poaching fees, exit fees, and contractual obligations underscore the high-stakes nature of conference realignment in college athletics. The nuances of the agreement between the Pac-12 and the Mountain West shed light on the intricate negotiations and legal considerations governing inter-conference relationships.