College football program offering $15 million to join new conference

The Sacramento State Hornets are in discussions with the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to transition their football program from the FCS to the FBS level. Previous attempts to join the new-look Pac-12 and the Mountain West Conference were unsuccessful. A potential agreement with the MAC, which would include a $15 million entry fee, would see Sacramento State's football program join the conference while its other sports remain in the Big West.

The Hornets, under former coach Troy Taylor, achieved significant success with three Big Sky championships and a quarterfinal appearance in the 2022 FCS playoffs. The move to the MAC would address scheduling issues for Sacramento State, which currently has only seven games scheduled for 2026. This potential move follows North Dakota State's recent transition to the FBS via the Mountain West, further highlighting ongoing shifts in college football following the collapse of the Pac-12 as a Power 5 conference.