Amid MWC dissolution rumors, Commish Gloria Nevarez makes conference realignment moves to mitigate after effects of Pac-12 poaching

After the conference realignment moves made by the Pac-12, an MWC dissolution was a stark possibility for a three-day period when the futures of the Air Force Falcons and the UNLV Rebels hung in the balance. On Thursday, seven members of the conference finally signed a document that reaffirmed their commitment to the Mountain West Conference until the 2031-2032 season.

The conference is still one member short of the required eight members to operate as an FBS conference and Commissioner Gloria Nevarez will have to get another program on board.

According to Yahoo Sports reporter Ross Dellenger, after averting a possible MWC dissolution, Nevarez has turned her eyes on the Mid-American Conference to find programs willing to join her newly-stable conference.

The two football programs being targeted are the Toledo Rockets and the Northern Illinois Huskies. The Rockets have been part of MAC since 1950, while the Huskies have been part of the conference since 1997.

MWC dissolution averted, conference future secured

The UNLV Rebels and the Air Force Falcons were seen as the dominoes that would have set the others tumbling and potentially led to the MWC dissolution, which needed nine members to vote on that particular resolution.

Commissioner Gloria Nevarez secured the future of her conference by utilizing the exit fees owed by departing members to the Pac-12. The pot totals $90 million and 24.5% will be allocated to the Rebels and Falcons ($22 million each), with the rest distributed among the other members except for football-only Hawaii ($4.5 million).

During the announcement of the deal between the seven remaining schools, Nevarez highlighted the importance of securing the commitment from the remaining schools.

"Our immediate priority was solidifying the membership of the Mountain West. Now our focus turns to our collective future on behalf of our student-athletes," Nevarez said in a statement.

"The agreements announced today mark a historic moment for the Mountain West and provide much-needed stability and clarity as the world of intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve rapidly. We are excited about our future and are executing our next steps in expanding the Mountain West."

The move to secure the future of her conference and avoid the MWC dissolution by Gloria Nevarez has dealt a huge blow to the ambitions of Pac-12, who still remain one member short of being FBS-compliant and now have to continue their search in the Group of Five.