San Diego State and the Mountain West Conference are at odds as the Aztecs attempt to smooth over their awkward non-exit from the league. The conference is withholding a $6.6 million distribution and disallowing San Diego State officials from meetings while the league decides whether the Aztecs can be members of the conference heading forward, according to documents obtained by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The $6.6 million is being withheld as a means of covering an exit fee the MWC says SDSU owes the league.
At the center of the conflict is a letter submitted by San Diego State president Adela de la Torre to the conference on June 13. The Mountain West considered it an official notice that the Aztecs were leaving the league, while the school claims it was only notice to open communication but not final notice that the decision was made.
In the letter, the Aztecs wrote “to formally notice that San Diego State intends to resign” from the Mountain West and wanted to discuss potential payment plans and a longer timeline for the program to give final notice as the school waits for an invite from presumably the Pac-12. Per conference bylaws, the $16.5 million buyout jumps to $34 million if notice is given later than July 1.
Two weeks later, San Diego State opted to reverse course and remain in the conference as the Pac-12 remains in a stalemate amid tense media rights negotiations. However, in an additional letter from Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez, the conference held that the Aztecs gave formal notice — meaning San Diego State now owes the league nearly $17 million. The status of San Diego State’s membership will be discussed at a board meeting on July 17, which will not include de la Torre per MWC bylaws.
The Mountain West’s hardline stance could be a long-term negotiating strategy as San Diego State continues to look to the Power Five level. While the Aztecs are staying in…
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