
Northern Illinois has accepted an offer to leave the MAC and join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member beginning in 2026. Now, the university needs approval from its Board of Trustees.
A move to the Mountain West comes with a $2 million membership fee, to be paid in installments spread across six years. Any university move that requires $500,000 or more requires board approval. The trustees will convene to vote on Tuesday. Northern Illinois has recommended approval for the move.