Pac-12 Lawsuit Against Mountain West Over “Poaching Penalty”
The Pac-12 conference has filed a federal lawsuit against the Mountain West, claiming that the “poaching penalty” imposed by the Mountain West is unlawful and unenforceable. The penalty would cost the Pac-12 over $40 million for adding Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and San Diego State to their conference. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California, seeks a declaratory judgment by a judge to challenge the anticompetitive nature of the penalty.
Background of the Lawsuit
The Mountain West has exit fees of up to $17 million for schools that decide to leave the conference. However, the issue at hand in the lawsuit is the additional poaching fees that were put in place in the Mountain West’s football scheduling agreement with Oregon State and Washington State. The fee starts at $10 million and increases by $500,000 for each additional school the Pac-12 adds from the Mountain West, totaling $43 million with the addition of four schools.
Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez defended the poaching penalty, stating that it was essential to protect the conference from losing more members to the Pac-12. She emphasized that the fees were included to ensure the future viability of the Mountain West and provide resources for student-athletes. The Pac-12, however, argues that the poaching penalty goes beyond the terms of the scheduling agreement and serves only to increase the Mountain West’s profits.
Pac-12 Expansion Plans
The Pac-12 announced the addition of Boise State, Fresno State, Colorado State, and San Diego State as part of its expansion plans to strengthen the conference. The conference also extended invitations to Utah State and UNLV, with Utah State already admitted. The addition of Utah State and UNLV would cost the Pac-12 another $24.5 million, leaving the Mountain West with only six members, two short of the required number for NCAA and College Football Playoff recognition.
The Pac-12 argues that the severe exit fees already in place in the Mountain West compensate for the loss of departing members and that the poaching penalty unfairly restricts competition between conferences. The lawsuit challenges the legality of the penalty and aims to protect the Pac-12’s expansion efforts.
Implications for College Athletics
The outcome of the lawsuit between the Pac-12 and the Mountain West could have far-reaching implications for college athletics. The issue of conference realignment and poaching of schools has been a contentious topic in recent years, with conferences vying for top programs to enhance their competitiveness and financial standing.
The Pac-12’s expansion plans aim to strengthen the conference and position it for future success in collegiate athletics. However, the legal battle with the Mountain West raises questions about the limits of conference realignment and the role of poaching penalties in maintaining conference stability.
In conclusion, the lawsuit between the Pac-12 and the Mountain West over the poaching penalty underscores the complex and competitive nature of college athletics. As the legal proceedings unfold, the future landscape of conference alignment and competition in collegiate sports remains uncertain.
