Reports have Sacramento State joining MAC as football only member
MAC NOTEBOOK
ESPN is among multiple sounces now reporting that Sacramento State is on the verge of joining the Mid-American Conference as a football-only member.
The Hornets have been playing at the FCS level, with the 2022 team winning 12 games and earning a No. 2 coaches poll ranking at one point. Among the victories that year was a 41-10 thumping of Colorado State (an FBS member).
Most Hornet sports teams have been competing in the Big Sky Conference, with football recording a 7-5 overall mark (5-3 BSC) last year.Non-football sports are moving over to the Big West Conference in 2026. However, that conference does not include football.
With Sacramento State not only . . .
ESPN is among multiple sounces now reporting that Sacramento State is on the verge of joining the Mid-American Conference as a football-only member.
The Hornets have been playing at the FCS level, with the 2022 team winning 12 games and earning a No. 2 coaches poll ranking at one point. Among the victories that year was a 41-10 thumping of Colorado State (an FBS member).
Most Hornet sports teams have been competing in the Big Sky Conference, with football recording a 7-5 overall mark (5-3 BSC) last year.Non-football sports are moving over to the Big West Conference in 2026. However, that conference does not include football.
With Sacramento State not only . . .
. . . anxious to continue football, but move up to the FBS level, it appealed to the NCAA for a waiver to play as an FBS independent in 2026. That waiver was denied, and exploratory queries for membership in other conferences failed to produce an invitation.
After adding Massachusetts (UMass) as a full member this year, the MAC is losing Northern Illinois to the Mountain West. Bringing in SSU would keep MAC football membership at 13 moving forward. At least on paper, adding Sacramento State would give the MAC a coast-to-coast footprint in football. That could become a factor in upcoming media rights negotiations. The present agreement runs through 2026-27.
ESPN reports that Sacramento State will pay an entry fee of $18 million to the MAC. Another $5 million may go to the NCAA for FBS entry.
Official announcements could come in the next week.
After adding Massachusetts (UMass) as a full member this year, the MAC is losing Northern Illinois to the Mountain West. Bringing in SSU would keep MAC football membership at 13 moving forward. At least on paper, adding Sacramento State would give the MAC a coast-to-coast footprint in football. That could become a factor in upcoming media rights negotiations. The present agreement runs through 2026-27.
ESPN reports that Sacramento State will pay an entry fee of $18 million to the MAC. Another $5 million may go to the NCAA for FBS entry.
Official announcements could come in the next week.
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