The Mountain West Convention is in critical discussions with UTEP about becoming a member of the league because the events close to a possible deal within the newest spherical of convention realignment on the West Coast, sources aware of the talks confirmed to CBS Sports activities.

The event Monday comes on the heels of the Mountain West reportedly pursuing Northern Illinois and Toledo as football-only members. The MWC can be within the exploratory part with Texas State, which might be a full-time member within the convention ought to discussions turn into critical, sources advised CBS Sports activities. ESPN first reported that talks have been underway between UTEP and the MWC on Monday.

Ought to UTEP be prolonged an invite and opts to depart Convention USA, the MWC would have eight members with seven holding full-time standing (Hawai’i is a football-only member). The NCAA requires eight full members for a league to be acknowledged as an FBS convention.

UTEP would owe about $2 million to Convention USA in an exit charge. The El Paso, Texas, tv market is considered as a plus for the MWC and a choice is predicted quickly.

UTEP has lengthy regarded to the Mountain West as a possible residence effectively earlier than the most recent spherical of realignment started earlier this month with the Pac-12 snagging 5 members away from the present MWC lineup. UTEP joined Convention USA in 2005 after spending the earlier 38 years within the WAC. The Miners have been unnoticed of the MWC on the time and joined C-USA.

The UTEP program received a championship within the WAC in 2000 and final superior to a bowl sport in 2021, when it misplaced to Fresno State within the New Mexico Bowl. UTEP is 0-4 this season underneath first-year coach Scotty Walden, who was employed from FCS Austin Peay. 

The Mountain West introduced Thursday that its remaining members have signed a memorandum of understanding to stick with the league via 2032 because the convention nonetheless must bolster its ranks amid the departures of 5 colleges for the Pac-12. 

Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State introduced final week they are going to go away the MWC for the newly reformed Pac-12 beginning July 2026. The Pac-12 is suing the MWC over a “poaching penalty” that might push the whole financial penalty for his or her departures to the Pac-12 to about $140 million.