Texas State regents vote to change conferences to Pac-12

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas State Bobcats are officially moving west.

In a special meeting Monday, Texas State University System's Board of Regents voted unanimously for the university to leave the Sun Belt Conference and join the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference in all sports in the 2026-27 athletic year.

"Texas State is thrilled to enter a new era in college athletics as the newest member of the Pac-12 Conference," said Don Coryell, Texas State athletic director. "This milestone offers an incredible opportunity to elevate our programs, compete at the highest level, and pursue excellence on a national stage."

Regents gave the go-ahead to pay a $5 million exit fee to the Sun Belt Conference, freeing up the school to switch its allegiance after 12 years. Texas State went from being the most western institution in the Sun Belt to now the most eastern in the Pac-12. They'll join charter members Oregon State and Washington State, plus Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Utah State.

The board had to approve everything by the end of the business day Monday because the school's exit fee would have doubled to $10 million Tuesday.

The Pac-12 needed the Bobcats, their football team in particular, to remain a Football Bowl Subdivision member. NCAA regulations require FBS conferences to have at least eight members, and Gonzaga doesn't sponsor football. Remaining in FBS qualifies the conference to potentially send teams to the College Football Playoff.

The Pac-12 recently secured a media rights deal with CBS that Texas State will take advantage of. It will reportedly pay schools anywhere from $7-$12 million per year; Texas State made roughly $2 million per year with the Sun Belt.

Last year, Texas State signed the largest stadium naming rights agreement in "Group of Five" conference history for $23 million with University Federal Credit Union. Attendance at home football games increased by 25% last season, and with the House v. NCAA settlement approval for direct revenue-sharing payments to athletes, schools need all the financial backing they can get.

The university is aiming to become a R1 Carnegie-classified research institution by 2027, and joining the Pac-12 aligns with that, the school said in a press release.

The university has also invested $149 million in its athletic facilities since 2022, including the $37 million Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center.

"The Pac-12 has a proud and storied tradition of excellence and TXST is honored to be a foundational member university helping to write the next chapter," Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said. "We are not joining the Pac-12 simply to participate; we are joining to compete, contribute and win championships."