The Mountain West is proposing a tiered distribution of the wealth, with each member receiving a financial boost. In fact, the Air Force Academy already has signed the agreement with the league. The academy is expected to receive a signing bonus of at least $10 million, sources tell Yahoo Sports. At least one other school, UNLV, is expected to receive a similar financial bonus.

Commissioner Gloria Nevarez has set a 5 p.m. MT time deadline to sign the deal as the Pac-12 races to potentially poach more members.

The Pac-12, for now a two-school league, needs to reach eight full members by summer of 2026 to meet NCAA conference requirements. In an effort to rebuild the conference, Oregon State and Washington State executed the first phase of a multi-step expansion effort last week adding Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State. The teams will join the league in July of 2026 and each owe the Mountain West an exit fee of at least $17 million.

The pool of candidates is shrinking for the Pac-12. As of 3:30 p.m. MT, Utah State, San Jose State, Nevada and UNLV had not signed the deal with the Mountain West. UNLV and Utah State officials have seen the expansion presentation from the Pac-12, something Yahoo Sports reported last week.