Pac-12 Adds Texas State: 8th All-Sports Member
Texas State University is poised to join the Pac-12 Conference as a full-sports member, a move that could reshape the conference landscape for the 2026-2027 season. The invitation marks a pivotal moment, perhaps securing the Pac-12’s required membership threshold after significant realignment. Now,the Bobcats face a crucial decision,needing to quickly notify the Sun Belt Conference to avoid a hefty exit fee increase. This strategic move for the Pac-12 aims to tap into the rich athletic talent within Texas. News Directory 3 keeps you informed on the latest developments. The Texas State governing board is set to convene soon to decide the program’s future and the conference’s presence in Texas. Discover what’s next …
Pac-12 Eyes Texas State to Fill Critical Membership Role
Updated June 27, 2025
The Pac-12 has offered Texas State University an invitation to become an all-sports member, starting in the summer of 2026, according to sources. The move is pending approval from the university’s governing board, which is scheduled to meet Monday.
If Texas State accepts the invitation, the Pac-12 will reach the minimum of eight all-sports members needed for certification. Currently, the conference has seven schools secured for 2026, plus Gonzaga, which does not have a football program. The Austin Sports Journal first reported the invitation.
A decision is pressing. To avoid a higher exit fee, Texas State must notify the Sun Belt Conference of its intent to withdraw by tuesday, July 1. the exit fee would then double from $5 million to $10 million.
Following the departure of 10 schools last August, the Pac-12 was left wiht only Washington State and Oregon State. The conference subsequently added Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State from the Mountain west, along with Gonzaga. However, it still needed one more all-sports member to solidify its future.
Texas State, located in San Marcos between San Antonio and Austin, was targeted due to its location in Texas, its commitment to investing in athletics, and its potential to become a important program. The conference has long sought to establish a presence in the talent-rich state.
Previous Pac-12 commissioners, including Tom Hansen, Larry Scott, and George Kliavkoff, explored expansion into Texas. Teresa Gould, who became commissioner in early 2024, is the first to successfully secure a Texas school.
While Texas State is not a customary powerhouse like Texas, Texas A&M, or Texas tech, the move is seen as strategically vital for the Pac-12 to grow its footprint in a populous and football-centric state. The Bobcats transitioned to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2012 and joined the Sun Belt after a year in the WAC. They have two postseason appearances, both in the First Responders Bowl under coach G.J. Kinne in 2023 and 2024.
What’s next
The Texas State governing board will meet Monday to discuss the invitation and the potential move to the Pac-12. Their decision will determine the future composition of the conference and its presence in Texas.