Report: Air Force reaffirms commitment to Mountain West amid interest from AAC

The Air Force Academy will remain in the Mountain West Conference, per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. Air Force is reportedly expected to sign a new grant-of-rights deal, including financial incentives.

Earlier this week, reports surfaced claiming that the American Athletic Conference was seriously interested in adding Air Force. The AAC has 14 football schools this season, including Army and Navy.

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Nonetheless, Air Force will not leave the Mountain West despite Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State and Fresno State announcing they will be leaving the conference for the new-look Pac-12 in the 2026-27 academic year.

Shortly after the news broke, Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez addressed the development.

“The Mountain West Conference is aware of media reports regarding the potential departure of several of our members, and we will have more to say in the days ahead,” Nevarez said. “All members will be held to the Conference bylaws and policies should they elect to depart.

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“The requirements of the scheduling agreement will apply to the Pac-12 should they admit Mountain West members. Our Board of Directors is meeting to determine our next steps. The Mountain West has a proud 25-year history and will continue to thrive in the years ahead.”

With these programs’ decisions, Air Force will now be one of the longest-standing members in the Mountain West. The school joined the conference in 1999, along with Nevada, UNLV and New Mexico.

AAC members reaffirm their commitment

An official decision from Memphis, Tulane and South Florida regarding a potential move to the Pac-12 has been made.

The three AAC programs have announced a commitment to the AAC, opting to remain with the conference over moving to the Pac-12. The Pac-12 has been trying to rebuild its brand, but it’ll have to look elsewhere, as it seems Memphis, Tulane and USF won’t be joining.

“We are the American Athletic Conference,” the statement between the trio of schools, along with UTSA, read. “A conference that prioritizes student-athlete welfare, has proud academic institutions, produces fierce competition at the highest level, and has outstanding linear and direct-to-consumer national media partners. 

“Together, we are committed to continuing to build the American brand, exploring new opportunities for exposure and value, and developing innovative economic resources, all in service of our student-athletes.

“While we acknowledge receiving interest in our institutions from other conferences, we firmly believe that it is in our individual and collective best interest to uphold our commitment to each other. Together, we will continue to modernize the conference, elevate the student-athlete experience, achieve championship-winning successes, and build the future.”

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this article.