UNLV gets big payday to remain in Mountain West

UNLV is sticking with the conference it has called home for the past quarter-decade, as the university announced on Thursday it has signed an agreement to stay in the Mountain West through 2032.

It's hard to imagine a conference deal more favorable to one team. As part of the agreement, the Mountain West will pay UNLV a lump sum of $10 million to $14 million, plus an additional yearly bonus of $1.5 million to $1.8 million for the length of the contract, which runs through the 2031-32 school year.

The money was an enticement to keep UNLV from leaving for the newly reformed Pac-12 Conference, which had already poached five MWC schools in Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State and Utah State. The Pac-12 also invited UNLV last week, and after initially turning down the offer, UNLV reconsidered when Utah State broke ranks with the remaining Mountain West schools and accepted its invitation.

The funds for UNLV’s lump-sum payment will come from the exit fees of departing members. The five schools leaving are slated to pay more than $140 million.

As an added sweetener, UNLV retains the flexibility to explore joining a power conference in the future. Under the new contract, there is no penalty for UNLV if it leaves the Mountain West for a Power Four conference. UNLV will also continue to host the Mountain West men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Those concessions, plus the money, convinced UNLV leadership to sign with the Mountain West. UNLV was a charter member when the MWC was formed in 1999.

Air Force is also staying in the Mountain West after spurning the Pac-12. That gives the MWC six full-time members: UNLV, Air Force, UNR, San Jose State, New Mexico and Wyoming. Hawaii is a football-only member; the league will need to add at least one more football team before the 2026 season in order to meet the NCAA’s requirement of eight schools.

In a statement, athletic director Erick Harper said the Mountain West made the most sense for UNLV now and in the future.

“After a thorough evaluation of all options, at this time the best choice for UNLV is to remain a member of the Mountain West," Harper said. "We are a charter member of the conference, have had a great experience throughout its history and are excited to continue moving forward. The league is a genuine brand and an established product. Increased revenues are a vital factor. As we look ahead and continue our ascent as an athletics department, this also gives us necessary flexibility as we pursue our future goal of joining an autonomous (Power Four) conference.”

With the core of the conference secured, the next step will be adding schools that bring value to the next media contract. The Mountain West’s current media rights deal runs through 2026 and pays its members between $5 to $6 million per year.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.