NDSU addresses Mountain West Conference reports amid football move speculation
FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – North Dakota State University issued a statement on X Saturday addressing media reports that the school is close to joining the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member.
“North Dakota State University is regularly involved in conversations about the future of collegiate athletics, including affiliation conference,” the university said. “We are aware of media reports and will have no further comments.”
The statement comes after Yahoo Sports reported Friday that NDSU could finalize a deal to join the Mountain West within days. According to the report, conference presidents have approved adding the Bison, but the two sides continue working through financial details.
The university would pay an entry fee potentially in the tens of millions, along with a required $5 million payment to the NCAA, Yahoo Sports said. NDSU has been talking to the Mountain West for over a year about leaving the FCS level.
The Bison have won nine national titles in the past two decades at the FCS level. The addition would bring the Mountain West to 10 football programs next season.
Northern Illinois already competes in the conference as a football-only member. Other members include Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, Wyoming, Hawaii and UTEP.
NDSU’s remaining sports teams would stay in their current conference, the Summit League, according to Yahoo Sports.
Former players told Valley News Live on Friday night they believe the move is finalized.
The university said its focus remains on supporting students, faculty and staff, and honoring academic and research commitments as a student-focused, land-grant, research university. Officials said they will communicate directly with the community when there is definitive information to share.
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