Sac State taking no distribution, covering opponent travel costs to join MAC

February 16, 2026

By Ross Dellenger, Yahoo Sports: After months of what university president Luke Wood describes as “disruptive marketing,” Sacramento State has completed its yearslong goal of membership into the NCAA’s top football division, FBS.

But the Hornets’ five-year football-only agreement into the Mid-American Conference comes at a steep price — the steepest price, at least in cash, that we’ve seen from any conference expansion move in history.

Sac State will pay an $18 million entry fee into the league ($6 million the first year) and $5 million in an NCAA FBS entry fee, as well as accepting zero conference distribution over that stretch and covering the air travel costs for all visiting MAC football teams (an additional $2-4 million over the five years).

Read the full story…

Why would Sacramento State spend tens of millions to join the MAC? 'It is putting the university on the map'

The total price for Sac State's move stands to exceed $25 million. All of this to compete in a division where its budget will be dwarfed. It's left so many inside and outside of college athletics asking a question: Why?

Yahoo Sports

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