The ongoing legal battle between the Mountain West Conference and the Pac-12 Conference now rests in the hands of Judge Claudia Wilken of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
Attorneys for both conferences presented arguments in court Tuesday during a hearing regarding a motion to dismiss made by the MWC responding to a federal antitrust lawsuit filed by the Pac-12.
The lawsuit filed by the Pac-12 centers on poaching fees adding up to $55 million in total, required by the MWC of the Pac-12 for the pending departures of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State, based off a scheduling agreement agreed to between the MWC and the Pac-12 in 2024.
The MWC and Pac-12 attempted to settle the lawsuit out of court, but the conference’s couldn’t come to an agreement which led to the MWC filing its motion to dismiss.
There is no set timetable for when Wilken will issue a ruling.
What the Mountain West Conference and the Pac-12 Conference contend
Both conferences have made public statements throughout their legal battles.
In July, the MWC sent out a release, detailing why it believes the Pac-12 and its member schools owe $55 million in poaching fees, plus up to $22 million per school in exit fees.
“This litigation centers on the obligation of these institutions to pay the exit fees clearly defined in the Mountain West Conference bylaws — policies they not only helped develop and adopt, but also sought to enforce against San Diego State in the summer of 2023,“ the release reads. ”It is, therefore, inconsistent and unjust for these same institutions to now attempt to evade their responsibilities.
“In fact, the departing schools have agreed to similar exit fee provisions as part of their membership in the Pac-12. The Mountain West is prepared to respond to whatever assertions may be included in the Second Amended Complaint. We remain confident in our legal position, which we will vigorously defend.”
The Pac-12 also released a statement following failed mediation, which began in May and ended without resolution in July.
“The Pac-12 remains committed to moving forward with legal action in response to the Mountain West’s attempt to impose so-called ‘poaching penalties,’ provisions we believe are unlawful and intended to obstruct our ability to act in the best interests of our student-athletes and member institutions,’ the release reads. ”We are confident in the strength of our position.”
What the Pac-12 said after Tuesday’s hearing
Only one conference — the Pac-12 — issued a public statement following Tuesday’s proceedings.
In it, the Pac-12 reiterated its commitment to its current course, which ultimately is to lessen the financial burden felt by the conference and and its members due to conference realignment.
“The Pac-12 Conference will continue to move forward with our legal action against the Mountain West Conference,” the release reads. “We appreciate the Court’s consideration of the issues at today’s hearing, and we will await its decision. We remain confident in the strength of our position and remain focused on advancing the academic excellence, athletic achievement, and tradition that have defined the Pac-12 for more than a century.”
A Mountain West spokesman told John Canzano that the MWC won’t make a statement on the current legal proceedings “until the judge issues a ruling.”