The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is set to welcome Sacramento State as its newest football-only member, marking a significant shift in the conference's landscape. This move, which will be officially announced in the coming days, is expected to cost the MAC $18 million, with Sacramento State contributing an additional $5 million to the NCAA for the transition. The total entry fee is projected to be $23 million, a substantial investment for the conference.
Sacramento State's journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. The university has been aggressively pursuing a spot in the highest level of football, with President Luke Wood stating, 'We believe our university, our students, and the entire Sacramento region deserve major college football.' This determination has led to a historic moment for the West Coast program, as it becomes the first to make this leap in over a generation.
The MAC's decision to add Sacramento State is a strategic one, as it replaces Northern Illinois, which is leaving for the Mountain West in football next year. This move keeps the MAC at 13 schools, maintaining its size and competitiveness. However, it also reflects a broader trend of schools paying to move up in leagues, with SMU, Cal, and Stanford making similar moves to join the ACC.
The cost of these transitions is a significant concern, especially for smaller leagues like the MAC and Mountain West, which are struggling to retain top talent in football and men's basketball due to the waiving of transfer rules and the ability of schools to pay players through NIL and revenue share. The payouts to these leagues come at a time when revenue is scarce.
Sacramento State's recent success in the FCS, including wins in the FCS playoffs in 2022 and 2023, and its hiring of Arizona assistant Alonzo Carter as its fourth coach since 2022, further highlights the university's commitment to football. Despite the NCAA's denial of a waiver to play as an independent, Sacramento State has found a conference invitation for the 2026 season, albeit with a two-year postseason eligibility pause during the transition.
The move also extends beyond football, as Sacramento State's non-football sports will be housed in the Big West, which it joins in 2026-27. This strategic move by the MAC and Sacramento State is set to create a new dynamic within the conference, but it also raises questions about the financial sustainability of such transitions and the impact on smaller leagues.
