Report: Hawaii commits to staying in Mountain West
JAMM AQUINO / NOV. 11
Hawaii linebacker Noah Kema (18) reacts after forcing an Air Force fourth down during the first half of a college football game on Nov. 11 in Honolulu.
ISAIAH J. DOWNING / USA TODAY SPORTS
UNLV Rebels defensive back Kris Williams reacts after a play, in November, in the fourth quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Mountain West has received binding commitments from UNLV, Air Force, and four other full members of the conference following the latest dominoes of conference realignment, Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports reported today.
After Utah State became the fifth Mountain West school to agree to join the Pac-12 Conference, the other six full member institutions stayed put, signing agreements that will give each one a signing bonus derived from Pac-12 exit fees. A specific dollar figure was not yet known.
Hawaii, a football-only member, also agreed to remain affiliated with the Mountain West despite interest, but no formal invitation from the Pac-12, Yahoo reported.
UNLV rejected overtures from the rebuilding Pac-12. Air Force turned down heavy interest from the American Athletic Conference.
With those schools committing to the Mountain West late Wednesday, the remaining full members lined up behind them today: Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State and Wyoming.
The Mountain West still needs to add two more schools to get to the requisite eight to be recognized as a conference for the purposes of the College Football Playoff.
Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State have agreed to join Oregon State and Washington State in the Pac-12 in 2026.
With seven members, the Pac-12 is still one short of the minimum requirements. On Monday, Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA all passed on Pac-12 offers to remain in the AAC.
