AAC Votes to Accept Army as Football-Only Member Beginning in 2024

AAC membership assists Army with securing football conference affiliation while maintaining traditional rivalries and anticipated benefit from the AAC’s ESPN deal through 2031-32; Army's coach contract extended through 2027 flying on a voter affirmed deal.

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has voted to accept Army as a football-only member starting in 2024, making it the first time Army will be joining a conference since being a part of Conference USA from 1998 to 2004.
The AAC, which expanded to 14 members ahead of the 2023 football season, will lose SMU to the ACC next year, making Army's addition a replacement to keep the AAC at 14 teams.
Army reached a contract extension with coach Jeff Monken earlier this year that will pay him an average of more than $2 million per year and run through the 2027 season.
Army's traditional rivalry games, including the Army-Navy Game and an annual match with Air Force, will remain intact despite the AAC move, and are expected to continue as nonconference games.
It is yet to be decided whether Army's home games will move to AAC's ESPN deal through 2031-32, providing stability, or remain on CBS Sports Network through 2028.