The Mountain West said Thursday it has agreed to enter mediation with the Pac-12, along with Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State, in hopes of settling the ongoing lawsuits related to school exit fees and a poaching penalty the Mountain West included in a scheduling agreement with the Pac-12.
It is a common step that could lead to settlements before the sides take their chances in court, however, a source told ESPN that, as of Wednesday evening, it was an informal agreement. The Mountain West initiated the talks, a source said.
"The goal is to resolve the parties' disputes through terms mutually agreed to by the parties," the Mountain West said in a statement. "While the Conference remains confident in its legal positions, the ongoing litigation matters are a distraction from our main priorities: serving our member institutions and our student-athletes."
In September, the Pac-12 filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the legality of a "poaching penalty" included in a football scheduling agreement it signed with the Mountain West in December 2023. As part of the agreement, the Mountain West included language that calls for the Pac-12 to pay a fee of $10 million if a school left the Mountain West for the Pac-12, with escalators of $500,000 for each additional school.
Five schools -- Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State and San Diego State -- announced they were leaving the Mountain West for the Pac-12 in 2026, which the Mountain West believes should require a $55 million payout from the Pac-12.
In December, Colorado State and Utah State filed a separate lawsuit against the Mountain West, seeking to avoid having to pay exit fees that could range from $19 million to $38 million, with Boise State later joining the lawsuit. Neither Fresno State, nor San Diego State has challenged the Mountain West exit fees in court.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
