On the same day that rumors of BYU jettisoning the Mountain West for football independence became semi-official, and the future of the MWC seemed tenuous at best, the jilted conference is attempting to prove the reports of their death may be greatly exaggerated.
According to a tweet from the MWC’s official Twitter feed -- unless it was hacked, of course -- the conference has extended an invitation for membership to Fresno State and Nevada.
Both schools are currently in the WAC, and are said to be seriously considering the offer. One potential obstacle for the two schools, however, would be a $5 million penalty agreed upon by the remaining schools for any member leaving the conference. The penalty was instituted following Boise State’s announcement that they were leaving for the MWC.
It’s unclear whether either or both institutions would be willing to pay the seven-figure penalty, or if the MWC would be willing to chip in some, most or all of the money.
The invitations to Fresno State and Nevada -- ostensibly to replace Utah and BYU -- have come amidst talk that Boise State may be reconsidering their move to the MWC in 2011 due to the loss of the two traditional powers.
Even if Boise State were thinking of remaining in the WAC, that conference losing two members and dropping down to a less-attractive seven-team league would likely force the Broncos to ditch any type of reneging thoughts.
Of course, if all three of those schools do move to the MWC, that would leave the WAC as a six-team conference: Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State.
Feel free to cringe at your leisure.
