The Mountain West Convention mentioned it’s in search of mediation within the lawsuit the Pac-12 filed in opposition to it in an try to keep away from paying $55 million in “poaching” charges for bringing 5 Mountain West groups into its personal league.
The Pac-12 and among the colleges it’s including filed lawsuits final yr, claiming the poaching clause it agreed to when it signed a scheduling settlement for its soccer groups for final season was invalid.
The clause known as for funds to the Mountain West of $10 million for the primary crew that left, with the quantity rising by $500,000 for each further crew. That was on prime of the $17 million-plus exit charges colleges have been chargeable for as a part of a special settlement.
Colorado State, Utah State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Boise State are all set to affix the Pac-12 beginning in 2026.
“The objective is to resolve the events’ disputes by phrases mutually agreed to by the events,” the Mountain West mentioned in a press release. “Whereas the Convention stays assured in its authorized positions, the continued litigation issues are a distraction from our fundamental priorities: serving our member establishments and our student-athletes.”
The Pac-12 didn’t instantly reply to messages from The Related Press in search of remark.
The once-storied convention practically folded when all its applications in addition to Washington State and Oregon State left to affix the Large Ten and Atlantic Coast Conferences final yr.
That led to the scheduling settlement with the Mountain West to assist the Cougars and Beavers piece collectively a soccer season in 2024. Whereas that was taking part in out, the Pac-12 agreed to soak up 5 of the Mountain West groups, which triggered the poaching clause and, thus, the lawsuit.
The Pac-12 wants yet one more program to get to eight groups, which is the minimal it will must be eligible for an computerized bid for its convention champion within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
The Mountain West has added UTEP, Hawaii and Northern Illinois for soccer beginning in 2026.
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