"FCS powerhouse North Dakota State Bison has finalized an agreement to join the Mountain West Conference in football only starting in 2026, sources told ESPN on Sunday. The school is expected to pay nearly $12 million to join the conference, sources told ESPN, which is in addition to the $5 million it will pay the NCAA to move to FBS. The move, which is expected to be announced Monday, is an axis-shifting one at the FCS level, as the Bison have won"
"It will give the Mountain West 10 football teams for 2026 and is part of that conference's rebuild after losing Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State to the Pac-12. North Dakota State has been one of college football's most dominant brands, and its transition to the FBS level will be a fascinating one. It comes at a time when the Mountain West, like most leagues outside the power conferences, need both revenue and football prowess"
North Dakota State finalized an agreement to join the Mountain West Conference in football only beginning in 2026. The school will pay nearly $12 million to join the conference, in addition to a $5 million NCAA fee to transition to FBS. The Bison have won 10 of the last 15 FCS national championships, making the transition an axis-shifting move at the FCS level. The addition brings the Mountain West to 10 football members for 2026 as the league rebuilds after Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State departed for the Pac-12. The late timing will require a scramble to finalize schedules.
Read at ESPN.com
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