Parting is such sweet sorrow. The saying is one of the most famous phrases used in the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet. Yes, it is an oxymoron. And yes, I am using it to describe the Pac-12 and Mountain West’s ongoing incestuous relationship.
Both conferences have been wrestling over the power position ever since the original Pac-12 fell apart—only to have leftovers Oregon State and Washington State fall together. With a renewed sense of opportunity in rebuilding the Pac-12, this summer has seen both conferences squaring away in mediation to resolve legal issues related to exit fees and poaching.
The new Pac-12 has effectively poached the top tier programs of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State from the Mountain West. Before they can begin competitive play in 2026 however, they must continue to operate in the Mountain West one final go round.
And that’s where we find this messy divorce before our eyes.
No settlement has been reached between the two and the upcoming July 15 deadline is fast upcoming. Tuesday, the latest news of the Mountain West officially adding one of their replacement schools, Grand Canyon University, will begin play competitively this fall—one whole year earlier than previously agreed to—has given new meaning to the term, polyamorous.
Well, San Diego State ain’t havin none of that. (snaps fingers). Neither is Boise State apparently. Strong statements coming out from both sides voiced their displeasure of the breaking news with even possibly more litigation being flung out in the mix.
Here are our best guess at why it’s such a big deal.
1. Revenue
It’s all about the money. Adding GCU early may alter the revenue distribution formula for the current 2025 season. If GCU shares in conference media rights or postseason earnings sooner than anticipated, that could mean less money for existing members like SDSU.
What makes that specifically frustrating is if SDSU is only staying one more year and had budgeted based on current revenue shares.
2. Competitive Balance and Scheduling Issues
Bringing in GCU early could affect competitive balance for the league and create last-minute changes to schedules. For example, if GCU joins all sports (especially basketball, where the Lopes are strong), it could complicate standings, seeding, and scheduling logistics for teams that had already planned for the 2025 season under a 12-team structure.
SDSU, as a program with strong basketball ambitions, might see this as a disruption to their final run in the MWC.
3. Perceived Undermining of Transition Plans
As SDSU and the other four ‘Pac-Stabber’ schools prepare to leave, no doubt they feel sidelined by these decisions made without their full input. The Mountain West removed all five schools from any decision making in wake of their buyout. Adding GCU early signals that the Mountain West is already moving on from SDSU, diminishing SDSU’s leverage and relevance in internal decisions this final year.
If SDSU was not included in the final vote or discussion on the timeline, that would add to the frustration. SDSU’s exit timeline may have been carefully crafted to maintain stability and maximize postseason or media exposure in their final year. If GCU’s early addition shifts attention away from SDSU or changes media dynamics (especially in basketball), it could be seen as undermining SDSU’s farewell campaign.
Grand Canyon’s early move could complicate recruiting optics. SDSU is still selling the idea of a strong final Mountain West season, but a conference shake-up adds uncertainty. Also, GCU has a growing brand and significant financial investment in athletics, especially basketball. No doubt their earlier-than-expected arrival was set to overshadow SDSU and the others’ final season narrative.
Bottom line, this move significantly helps the Mountain West brand. By GCU coming in early to compete, it assimilates their brand competitively alongside the likes of the 5 leaving schools and eases that transition as they vacate their roles.
Not only has this decision created more media attention for the Mountain West, but it genuinely kickstarts their value when entering into new negotiations for their upcoming media deal. But hey, can you blame them?
When all of this college sports landscape shakeup began it was going to be the G5 conferences who were going to feel the effects the hardest—it was just going to happen much later than the initial earthquake. Now that we are here, a lot of fuss will be made at these decisions to leverage any kind of perceived advantage. But Commissioner Nevarez is only doing what they can and must do to stay competitive against the Pac-12.
All of this is of course is dependent upon success for the Antelopes—especially in basketball. It will only be a good move if GCU can make it a good one by winning on the court. For SDSU, they have surprisingly struggled against GCU in their brief history of matchups with a 1-4 win/loss ratio.
Things just got a little more interesting for the Aztecs highly anticipated hoops season, where they are favored to be a top-25 team in the nation. What this matchup look like in the upcoming 2025-2026 season is still to be seen. But until then, one things for sure—there will be no acrimony between them…right?
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
One Response
The Mountain West forced the issue for Oregon State and Wazzu to join by making alliance games substantially more expensive to the Pac. The Pac responded by raiding the MW’s top talent. Somewhere in the chaos, it’s been lost that Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State and Utah State made the MW the top G5 conference, and as they move on, the Mountain West should recognize that without these teams- several of which are 25-year foundational members- the conference may have collapsed years ago. The MW’s reputation is strong enough to backfill these departures with high-quality programs, and it would have been more dignified to start GCU in 2026. I am sure that the MW cannot put decorum ahead of stability, but it does come across as a big FU to SDSU and Boise State. That said, SDSU has been trying to leave the MW for years now, and I gather there’s no love lost between ADT / Wicker and Nevarez. GCU clobbered SDSU a few times, and could steal their mojo if the Aztecs don’t put them down. It’s likely Boise State won’t beat GCU. Some consider Grand Canyon a pseudo college with a huge trove of for-profit university cash from its large online student body and light brick-and-mortar investment. This orientation lets GCU to dis-proportionately invest in athletics. GCU’s biggest obstacle has been getting recognized as a bona fide university by high quality conferences. For that chance, it appears they’re spreading their cash around the MW like manure.