Pac-12 vs Mountain West legal battle is settled

The Pac-12 vs. Mountain West legal battle is over.

>The two leagues have reached a settlement in their legal dispute over exit fees and so-called poaching penalties after five former members of the Mountain West departed the league to help rebuild the Pac-12.

>The leagues released a joint statement Aug. 4:

>“The Mountain West Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, Boise State University, Colorado State University, Utah State University, and The Board of Trustees of the California State University for the benefit of San Diego State University and California State University, Fresno have reached final agreements to settle all pending litigation among the parties. With these matters concluded, the conferences and institutions can move forward with certainty and focus on serving their student-athletes, campuses, fans, and communities.”

>Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

>In 2024, Colorado State, Boise State, Utah State, Fresno State and Utah State all said they were leaving the Mountain West to join the Pac-12. All officially moved into the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026.

>In September 2024, the Pac-12 filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of poaching penalties included in a football scheduling agreement it signed with the Mountain West in December 2023.

>A separate lawsuit involving CSU, Boise State and Utah State also challenged the Mountain West's exit fees.

>In total, the Mountain West was seeking roughly $150 million in exit and penalty fees.

>Now that the leagues are done with a legal battle, an on-field one will come soon. CSU (Pac-12) opens the 2026 season against rival Wyoming (Mountain West) on Sept. 5 at Canvas Stadium.

>Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.

>This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Pac-12 vs Mountain West legal battle is settled