Texas State is nearing the end of its journey to join the Pac-12. They have started the process of scheduling a board of regents meeting for Monday to finalize this transition, as sources informed ESPN.
Officials from Texas State have begun notifying Sun Belt officials about their formal offer to join the Pac-12 and their intentions to accept it, according to reports.
The Pac-12 and Texas State are likely to complete this move soon, which will take effect for all sports in the 2026-27 school year. However, an official announcement is not expected until after Monday.
In Texas, it takes 72 hours to officially call a board of regents meeting due to open meeting laws. By officially calling the meeting on Friday, Texas State can hold the final discussion on Monday.
This marks the last steps for Texas State in its quest to join the Pac-12. The Bobcats have been seen as the top choice to become the eighth football member of the league for several months (Gonzaga is part of the league but does not have a football team).
The timing was crucial for Texas State since their exit fee to join the Pac-12 for 2026 will double from $5 million to $10 million on July 1. They needed formal approval from the board to pay this fee and avoid the increase, making it essential for them to receive an invitation this week.
The Pac-12 required an eighth football member in order to function as an FBS conference starting in 2026. The Bobcats will be joining Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State, and Fresno State.
Texas State’s inclusion suggests the school’s strong athletic capabilities and provides the Pac-12 with a special presence in Texas, a state known for its football. With over 40,000 students, the university is located between Austin and San Antonio.
The Bobcats recently finished two consecutive seasons with an 8-5 record, achieving two bowl victories under head coach G.J. Kinne. They will kick off the 2025 season by playing against Eastern Michigan, and their inaugural game as a Pac-12 member will take place at Texas in 2026.
The Austin Sports Journal was the first to report that Texas State is taking the final steps to join the Pac-12.
