The Pac-12 and Mountain West have paused their legal battle and are working toward a settlement, according to a joint statement released Monday. Both conferences, along with Boise State, Utah State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State, agreed to suspend lawsuits in California and Colorado federal courts while finalizing terms.

The dispute stems from a December 2023 scheduling agreement that included $10 million poaching penalties for schools leaving the Mountain West, with $500,000 escalators per additional departure. When five schools ultimately jumped to the Pac-12, the total penalty reached $55 million. Colorado State and Utah State later sued to avoid exit fees ranging from $19 million to $38 million.

The resolution clears the way for the rebuilt Pac-12 to launch this fall with eight members: Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. Meanwhile, the Mountain West will compete with 10 schools including Air Force, Hawai'i and Nevada.

This settlement ends months of uncertainty surrounding conference realignment and allows both leagues to focus on their upcoming seasons without ongoing litigation hanging over their head.