Northern Illinois reportedly set to join Mountain West as football-only member
North Dakota State was reportedly “considered” for the Mountain West as a football-only member at one point this past fall.
FARGO — Northern Illinois is expected to accept an offer to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member for 2026, according to Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.
The addition of Northern Illinois will give the conference nine football schools.
Grand Canyon and UC Davis are also set to join the Mountain West as non-football members, added McMurphy.
In early November, McMurpy also reported that the FBS league was “considering” North Dakota State as a football-only member. At that time, Northern Illinois was reportedly not interested in joining the Mountain West for football.
Breaking: Northern Illinois’ board on Tuesday expected to accept offer to join Mountain West as football-only member in 2026, industry sources said. The addition of MAC’s most successful program gives MW 9 football schools, stretching 4 time zones. NIU expected to receive
The Bison are a nine-time Division I FCS national champion and have a chance to win a 10th FCS crown on Monday. NDSU is a Missouri Valley Football Conference member and in the Summit League for most of its other sports.
Northern Illinois is expected to receive more revenue in the Mountain West than the Mid-American Conference, according to McMurphy.
“NIU expected to receive substantially more revenue in MW than in MAC,” McMurphy wrote. “NIU considering several options where its non-football sports will play, sources said.”
The Mountain West is expected to stay at nine schools for football.
In November, NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen made this statement to The Forum: “NDSU aspires to compete for championships at the highest level possible. As changes happen throughout college athletics, we continue to monitor the landscape of Division I membership. At this time, NDSU has not been invited to any other conferences, and we believe we are well-positioned for the future.”
Leave a Reply