A New Era of Stability for the Mountain West
Just over a month ago, the future of the Mountain West conference hung in the balance. But after a series of crucial decisions, Commissioner Gloria Nevarez is breathing a sigh of relief. The conference has finally found its footing, thanks to UNLV and Air Force’s commitment to remain, the addition of UTEP, and making Hawaii a full member.
Securing the Future
These moves ensure the Mountain West will meet the NCAA’s minimum requirement of eight full-time programs to maintain its FBS conference status starting in 2026. This is a significant turnaround from just a few weeks ago, when five schools defected to the Pac-12 Conference. Nevarez acknowledges the uncertainty, but is optimistic about the conference’s prospects. “I do feel a lot better because we are secure till ’32,” she said in an interview. “We have a core membership, and I think everyone in the core membership is committed and in it to win it.”
Weathering the Storm
The conference faced its biggest challenge when Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State announced their departure for the Pac-12. The situation grew even more dire when Utah State followed suit, and UNLV was invited to join the Pac-12. But UNLV’s decision to stay, followed by Air Force’s commitment, gave the Mountain West a much-needed lifeline. “All the (athletic directors) and all the presidents were able to cut through to the core issues and what makes us good for all of us,” Nevarez explained. “We got to a great place. I think everyone’s happy with it.”
Completing the Puzzle
The Mountain West still needed two more full-time members to complete its roster. UTEP’s announcement to join in 2026 and Hawaii’s elevation to full-time member status filled those gaps. However, Hawaii’s inclusion presents a unique challenge: travel expenses. Nevarez confirmed that there will be no more subsidies to visiting teams in any sport, and the conference will need to find creative solutions to balance out travel costs, particularly for basketball and volleyball.
Looking Ahead
While the Mountain West appears secure for now, Nevarez is acutely aware that realignment is an ever-changing landscape. “Whatever’s happening, I think it starts on the East Coast like this current realignment did,” she said. “We have to be ready to react for that because I think it’s being pulled by conferences that aren’t in the Western region.” As the conference looks to the future, it may consider adding more schools or even a basketball-only member, but for now, Nevarez is focused on building on the momentum gained.
Leave a Reply