NDSU Nears Mountain West Football-Only Deal for 2026

North Dakota State University is in advanced negotiations to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member starting in the 2026 season, with a potential agreement expected as soon as this weekend, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

The Fargo-based school, a dominant force in the Football Championship Subdivision, has been a longtime contender for a move to the Football Bowl Subdivision. Sources indicate that Mountain West presidents recently approved extending an invitation to North Dakota State, but talks have centered on a substantial entry fee, potentially reaching eight figures, in addition to a $5 million NCAA transition fee. If finalized, the Bison would become the conference's 10th football-playing member, bolstering a league undergoing significant realignment.

The Mountain West is losing five schools this summer: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State, all departing for the reconfigured Pac-12 Conference. To offset those exits, the league is adding Northern Illinois as a football-only member and the University of Texas at El Paso as a full member, along with non-football additions of Grand Canyon...