The MAC presidents have voted to add FCS Sacramento State into the league as a football-only member starting in 2026, sources told ESPN.
The cost of entrance is expected to be $18 million, sources said, and a deal is expected to be announced in the upcoming days. All in, the total cost of entry is expected to be $23 million, as Sacramento State would also need to pay $5 million to the NCAA to move up.
This marks a significant move for Sacramento State, as it will be the first West Coast program to make the jump to the highest level of football in well over a generation.
Sacramento State has been aggressive in pursuit of this level, with president Luke Wood saying this summer: “We believe our university, our students, and the entire Sacramento region deserve major college football.”
The move will keep the MAC at 13 schools. Sacramento State would replace Northern Illinois, which is leaving for the Mountain West in football next year.
It also marks a trend of schools paying money to move up in leagues. SMU paved the way, as it chose to forgo nine years of television revenue to join the ACC. Cal and Stanford also accepted reduced money to join the ACC.
Sacramento State’s move is the second in the past week, as North Dakota State finalized a move to the Mountain West. That move cost $12.5 million. Northern Illinois paid a $2 million entrance fee to join the Mountain West.
The payouts to leagues such as the MAC and Mountain West come at a time when revenue is scarce, as smaller conferences are struggling to retain top talent in football and men’s basketball since the waiving of transfer rules and the ability of schools to pay players through NIL and revenue share.
Sacramento State’s recent history includes wins in the FCS playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. The school will have its fourth coach since 2022 this year, as it hired Arizona assistant Alonzo Carter.
Last year, the NCAA denied a waiver to let Sacramento State play as an independent. In need of a conference invitation, the school has found one for the 2026 season. Sacramento State would not be eligible for the postseason for two years as it transitions.
Wood and athletic director Mark Orr have been looking to leverage the area’s top-20 television market. The school hired Mike Bibby as men’s basketball coach and has been aggressive in pursuing high-profile names.
Sacramento State’s non-football sports will be housed in the Big West, which it joins in 2026-27.
Yahoo Sports was first to report discussions between the MAC and Sacramento State.
