- The WAC sued UVU, alleging the school failed to pay a $1 million exit fee.
- UVU announced last year that it will join the Big West in July.
- Failure to pay the fee could bar UVU teams from WAC and NCAA championships.
Failure to pay a seven-figure exit fee as it leaves the Western Athletic Conference for a new league could keep Utah Valley University sports teams from playing in championship competition.
The WAC filed a lawsuit against the Orem-based school Monday in district court in Tarrant County, Texas, alleging UVU has refused to pay a “contractually obligated exit fee in the amount of $1 million.” The WAC is headquartered in Arlington, Texas. The fee was due Jan. 31.
Because the university didn’t make the payment, it is no longer a member in good standing with the conference, according to the 14-page lawsuit. In addition to being barred from WAC and NCAA championship play, UVU is not permitted to appear on conference-sponsored television, radio or other media packages.
On Thursday, WAC commissioner Rebekah Ray announced on X that the conference has removed all UVU home games from its broadcast schedule “until further notice,” starting Thursday with the men’s basketball game against Abilene Christian.
“These events will not be available for broadcast on ESPN+ or otherwise,” she wrote. “This action is required due to Utah Valley University’s failure to meet its obligations under WAC bylaws, resulting in its status as a member institution not in good standing.”
UVU informed the WAC last June that it intends to join the Big West conference starting July 1, 2026. The conference sent a letter to school administrators reminding them about the exit fee shortly after.
On Jan. 22, UVU President Astrid Tuminez wrote back saying the university “will not pay the exit fee,” according to the lawsuit.
What the WAC commissioner says
Ray said in a statement provided to the Deseret News that the conference made several attempts to resolve the matter outside of litigation and will continue to do so.
“However, Utah Valley University has failed to live up to its contractual obligations in accordance with Conference Bylaws, which have previously been enforced to UVU’s benefit,” she said.
“With full knowledge of the consequences, UVU chose not to meet their obligation, resulting in significant impacts to their student-athletes and other innocent parties. The conference remains committed to working toward a swift resolution and minimizing disruption for those affected.”
UVU joined the WAC in 2013. In the school’s “notice to exit” cited in the lawsuit, Tuminez wrote it “has been a privilege to compete in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). UVU and the WAC’s partnership has elevated both organizations and has impacted student athletes for good.”
Tuminez announced last month that she will step down as president, effective May 1.
UVU officials did not have a comment on the lawsuit Thursday.
Will UVU participate in WAC championships?
The WAC crowns champions in nine women’s sports and seven men’s sports.
If UVU is not in good standing with the conference, its men’s and women’s basketball teams could be excluded from the conference tournaments in Las Vegas next month. The school’s indoor track and field team is considered one of the favorites for the WAC title at the championship meet Feb. 27-28.
The men’s basketball team currently sits in a three-way tie atop the WAC standings with a 6-3 conference record and 16-6 overall record. Several projections list UVU as a 13-seed in the NCAA Tournament field.
UVU has won 33 regular season and tournament championships in the WAC. The Wolverines claimed the WAC Commissioner’s Cup in 2020 as the league’s top all-around athletics department, and have earned four consecutive WAC Academic Excellence Awards.
UVU has made NCAA Tournament appearances in several different sports during its time in the WAC, including softball, baseball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s basketball and volleyball. Cross country and track and field athletes have competed in NCAA regional and national championships.