NIU Joins MWC as Football-Only Member

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is set to join the Mountain West Conference (MWC) as a football-only member starting in 2026, pending approval from its Board of Trustees. The move comes amidst broader conference realignment trends in college athletics and is expected to bring increased revenue from multimedia rights and ticket sales, offsetting the $2 million membership fee. The MWC is losing several teams, including Boise State and Fresno State, to the Pac-12, and NIU's addition will help maintain its football membership numbers. NIU has experienced success in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), achieving multiple bowl game appearances under current head coach Thomas Hammock. The Huskies will remain in the MAC for other sports, and the board is expected to approve the move on January 7. This transition marks NIU's second departure from the MAC, having been part of the Big West Conference in the 1990s.