Pac-12 files lawsuit against Mountain West over more than $50 million in poaching fees

The latest twist in the Pac-12’s conference realignment efforts could next involve a courtroom. Two weeks ago, the Pac-12 officially added four Mountain West schools — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State — which would put the fee owed to the Mountain West at $43 million, on top of an estimated $18 million per school in exit fees. But that does not make the Poaching Penalty any less illegal, and the Pac-12 is asking the Court to declare this provision invalid and unenforceable.” In late 2023, the Pac-12 and Mountain West signed a 2024 football scheduling agreement, through which the Mountain West added Oregon State and Washington State to its teams’ schedules in exchange for $14 million. The contract, which also stipulated that it remained in effect two years beyond the end date of the scheduling agreement, was signed by Oregon State, Washington State, former Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff and Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez. Included in the complaint is a Sept. 12 letter from the Mountain West to the Pac-12, saying the Pac-12 would owe $43 million in poaching fees.