By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
Monday’s special meeting of the Texas Stare University System Board of Regents took all of 15 minutes.
With only one agenda item, regents voted without objection to authorize Texas State University to pay the Sun Belt Conference a $5 million exit fee and accept a membership invitation from the Pac-12 Conference.
“This is a historic moment for Texas State and Bobcat athletics,” Texas State President Dr. Kelly Damphousse said in a press release. “Joining the Pac-12 is more than an athletic move – it is a declaration of our rising national profile, our commitment to excellence and our readiness to compete and collaborate with some of the most respected institutions in the country.”
Texas State’s will officially join the conference on July 1, 2026 and begin athletic competition in the 2026-27 school year.
With the addition of Texas State, the rebranded Pac-12 will meet the NCAA’s minimum requirement of eight football-playing members to maintain its Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) status and eligibility for the College Football Playoff.
Texas State will join founding member Oregon State, longtime member Washington State and fellow newcomers Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State and San Diego State as football members. Gonzaga will participate in all sports except football.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould said in a press release. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind.
“Under great leadership from Dr. Kelly Damphousse, Don Coryell and excellent head coaches, Texas State has shown a commitment to competing and winning at the highest level as well as to providing student-athletes with a well-rounded college experience academically, athletically and socially. We look forward to seeing the Bobcats’ future trajectory continue to shine big and bright.”
Texas State’s membership follows the conference’s new media rights deal with CBS, which grants the network broadcasting rights through 2031.
The agreement includes a minimum of four football and basketball games annually on the main CBS network, with additional coverage on CBS Sports Network and the CBS streaming app. The deal also covers the conference championship games in football and men’s basketball.
Details of Texas State’s revenue share deal with the Pac-12 have not been made public. Reports suggest individual school payouts range from $8 million to $15 million.
“This milestone offers an incredible opportunity to elevate our programs, compete at the highest level, and pursue excellence on a national stage,” said Texas State Athletic Director Don Coryell. “This historic moment belongs to our coaches, staff, student-athletes, fans, alumni,and students, who we thank for making it possible. As the Pac-12’s flagship school in Texas, we proudly embrace the opportunity and responsibility that comes with it.”
Texas State’s athletic program has been at the top of the Sun Belt Conference in recent history.
The Bobcats won five Sun Belt Conference championships during the 2024-25 season, including the softball regular season title and volleyball tournament championship.
Texas State also won women’s indoor and outdoor track and field and men’s outdoor track and field championships in 2024-25, and finished among the top four in the Sun Belt in women’s soccer, football, men’s indoor track and field and women’s tennis.
The university has invested $149M since 2022 in facilities and athletic infrastructure, including the newly-opened $37M Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center.
Looking ahead, an additional $50 million investment in planned enhancements will support athlete revenue sharing and performance centers across multiple sports.
