Overview
- North Dakota State’s football program will enter the Mountain West on July 1, 2026 as a football‑only member, with other sports remaining in their current leagues such as the Summit League.
- NDSU will pay $12.5 million to the Mountain West on a six‑year, front‑loaded plan reported to begin with about $7 million in year one, plus a $5 million NCAA reclassification fee.
- The school is preparing an NCAA petition for immediate College Football Playoff and bowl eligibility despite the two‑year transition ban, and the Mountain West has said it will support the request.
- Under the conference agreement obtained by CBS Sports, NDSU will receive limited revenue sharing through 2031‑32, earn 50% of CFP and bowl distributions if it reaches the postseason initially, and collect a $1 million bonus for a CFP berth before 2032.
- The addition positions the Mountain West at 10 football members for 2026 as it rebuilds after departures to the Pac‑12, while the Missouri Valley Football Conference will shift to a nine‑team round‑robin schedule next season.