Overview
- A federal judge in the Northern District of California denied the Mountain West’s motion to dismiss, with an initial case management conference set for Nov. 18.
- At issue are roughly $55 million in poaching fees the Mountain West sought after five of its schools accepted Pac-12 invitations for 2026.
- The Pac-12 alleges the penalties unlawfully restrain trade and were accepted when the conference had little leverage, and the court found the claims sufficiently pled to proceed.
- The Mountain West said the ruling makes no judgment on the merits and that it remains confident in its position after mediation efforts earlier this year failed.
- Related lawsuits by Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State accuse the Mountain West of withholding funds, with combined exit and fee claims reported to exceed $150 million.