BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Boise State University will join the PAC-12 Conference, the school announced today, in a major move for its athletic programs. The decision was unanimously approved by the PAC-12 Board of Directors and will impact all 18 of the university’s athletic teams, with competition set to begin in the 2026-2027 academic year.

The move follows the departure of 10 PAC-12 schools earlier this year, including USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington, which left for the Big Ten. Other institutions joined the Big 12 and ACC, leaving the conference with just a handful of schools. Boise State will join the PAC-12 alongside Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State, with Oregon State and Washington State remaining in the conference.

Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey was enthusiastic about the move and emphasized the historical significance of joining the PAC-12.

“When you look at the history and tradition of the PAC-12, and you compare it to who we are and the brand we’ve built over the last 30 years, it’s a huge opportunity,” Dickey said. “We’re going to continue to raise the bar and I think this decision will impact us for years to come. It’s always a great day to be a Bronco, but today is special.”

The move comes with financial hurdles, however. Boise State must pay an $18 million exit fee to leave the Mountain West Conference, per the league’s bylaws. Reports suggest the PAC-12 may help with some of that cost, but Boise State will also forfeit approximately $7-8 million in annual television revenue from the Mountain West.

“It’s going to be a combination of things,” Dickey said of the financial implications. “But when you weigh the risk and the reward, there was too much reward for us not to take this step. There’s always risk, but I believe in what we’re building, and ultimately it’s going to be better for us in the long run.”

The decision is expected to be received positively by Boise State’s passionate fans.

“I think that’s what the fans want,” said Nate Shelman of Newstalk KBOI, the flagship station for Boise State. “I think the basketball team and the football team have earned their way by playing as well as they’ve done. Performing as well as they’ve done.”

Boise State’s move to the PAC-12 is expected to lead to increased national exposure, new competitive rivalries and additional revenue opportunities as the university begins the next chapter in college athletics.