NIU Accepts the Mountain West Invitation for Football Membership in 2026 - Q&A and further MWC Adds

Welcome to the Mountain West NIU Football!
It's finally Official - Northern Illinois University accepts the invitation to join the Mountain West Conference in 2026 for Football.
After waiting for the Board of Trustees vote to finalize the move to the Mountain West, Huskie Nation was given a late Christmas gift on January 7 to confirm what had been highly anticipated. The Trustees unanimously approved the transition of football to the MWC and payment of a $2M entrance fee at a Special Meeting on Tuesday.
JY gives you an update of all of the information obtained from the Trustee meeting and the Press Conference that occurred today.

The Big Mountain is your trusted place for all things Mountain West and PAC-12 including member additions, game picks, game recaps, and discussions with Athletic Directors and decision makers.

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[rfrmac]

I’m a U of U fan but I have always had an interest in the conference since Utah was a founding member. I am happy with the selection of NIU to join the conference. JY I thank you and Steve for presenting the Mountain West and PAC 12 to us. Thank You.

[rumblingcds]

Good add. Probably the best so far.

Overall the mw is doing a good job. They arnt getting everyone they want but they are putting together what I think will be a fun conference.

[saymynameandinolongerexist]

So happy about this expansion! Welcome NIU to the Mountain West Conference!

[perrystevenson]

As a UNLV WELCOME NIU TO THE MW CONF. as a football member. BUT...I don't believe the MW conf. should be done. We need atleast 1 more school in their time zone to join the MW for even more exposure. I score this as an "A"

[ryansuter]

Welcome NIU!
Mountain West additions is impressive!

[terryfox]

The MWC released a statement that their football alignment is now set for 2026 at 4 home, 4 away. I got the impression that she was ruling out any more football schools for 2026, which surprised me. I have looked at the TV numbers for NIU football, and I can see why the TV folks suggested adding them.

[thatcollegefootballguy]

I agree with you that they are not done in adding members. I fully believe they are going to kick the tires with Toledo one more time to see if they're still not interested. It couldn't hurt to ask.

[paulmezzetta]

Hawaii and UTEP as full members, Northern Illinois in Football,
UC Davis and Grand Canyon in Olympic sports, I would give a grade of B+ to A-
Nevarez is being very proactive.

[drgat]

I absolutely understand that schools hate the hit on attendance from regular middle of the week home games. At the same time those games are on ESPN and brodcast TV. That is major exposure for a school like NIU, which if we are honest is why colleges invest in athletics. It will be a tradeoff for sure.

[ewhite]

So excited and can't wait to tune in often here

[eric]

Yes sir, great day for Huskie Nation!

[KevinHampton-ws]

I'm a Pac-12 guy but this is a good addition for the MWC. Wouldn't surprise me if Nevarez isn't done. Some are mentioning Texas State but I think their eyes are on the Pac-12. Not sure how interested the Pac-12 is unless it adds Memphis and Tulane.

[stevenvitte]

NIU is making a business move. They're doing what they believe will push them forward. I can't blame them for making the move. The MWC adds a solid building block.

I will say though about the issue with the rest of their sports: First, I don't think the MAC will let them stay and amend their bylaws. Second, I'm openly wondering if long-term NIU's other sports programs are going to be happy playing in a conference like the Horizon.

[willcooper]

I was born and raised in Chicago, so I'm happy for the football program. They have always been a MAC outlier because they're the only school in the Central time zone, and their proximity to Chicago led them to be ambitious to be relevant in Chicagoland. The next question is the landing spot for the other sports. #InGloriaWeTrust

[thatcollegefootballguy]

Some of the rumors on X are a bit much. Some are suggesting they should go after Louisiana Tech in Conference USA as well as other schools in the Sun Belt. It's going to be an interesting year in college athletics

[RicardoTrevino]

NIU just beat the Bulldongs, they are already "next level."

[Devin-co]

I took this year off from college football simply cause all this realignment uncertanty and 12 team playoff drama zoned me out. I'll probably take 2025 off too until everything is official. though in 2026 once I get back into it, I wouldn't mind becoming a new NIU fan if they gonna be on the west coast now 👀

[thatcollegefootballguy]

I believe that we are now seeing what the full plan for the Mountain West will be:

10 full members
2 Olympic Sports members
2 Football only members

What do you think?

[htvlogs]

NIU is going to have fun traveling to Hawaii.

[TardisCaptain]

My grade on the recent additions.

Hawaii to full member: A+
UTEP (full): A
GCU (Oly): C
UC-Davis (Oly): B-
Northern Illinois (FB only): B-

The MWC really needs to focus on where they can get TV eyeballs and recruit both athletes and students. That should be a school in Texas.