Jul 19, 2023 - Sports

San Diego State University remains in Mountain West for now

Five basketball players in black and red uniforms walk on the court together. — San Diego State Aztecs in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game on April 3. Photo: Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

The Mountain West Conference commissioner announced Wednesday that San Diego State University will remain its marquee member for at least another year, ending a contentious, month-long stalemate during which it appeared the school would try to join the Pac-12.

Why it matters: SDSU has been flirting with a move to a bigger conference for years. That transition, which brings heftier media deals and revenue paychecks, would be welcome for a university that last year unveiled the $310 million Snapdragon Stadium.

Catch up quick: SDSU told the Mountain West on June 13 it planned to jump ship — then backtracked two weeks later. The university said it requested an extension on its June 30 deadline to leave the conference, rather than giving an official notice it was out, The Athletic reported.

Missing that deadline would have doubled the school’s withdrawal fee to $36 million.
SDSU opted to sit tight after it became clear the Pac-12 wouldn't strike a TV deal in time to consider expanding its conference to include the Aztecs.
The saga came to a head at this week's Mountain West board meeting, where terms were hashed out.

Details: The agreement comes with conditions, per the U-T.

SDSU will pay the Mountain West’s legal fees that resulted from this dispute, which are reportedly under $100,000.
SDSU can't try to negotiate a smaller exit fee if it gets an invitation from another conference before next year.

What's next: SDSU could leave the Mountain West for the Pac-12 next summer and pay the $17 million early exit fee.

Add Axios on Google

San Diego State University remains in Mountain West for now

More San Diego stories