Northern Illinois Considers Mountain West Move for Football

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is considering an offer to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member, potentially leaving the Mid-American Conference (MAC) where it has been since 1997. This move would increase the Mountain West's football membership to nine, providing a buffer above the NCAA's minimum requirement of eight. The MAC plans to add UMass as a full member in 2025, so NIU's departure won't affect its numbers. NIU has been successful in the MAC, winning five titles since 2011.