Texas State is expected to accept the reported invitation from the Pac-12 Conference and officially inform the Sun Belt Conference of its intended move ahead of the July 1 deadline that increases the buyout from $5 to $10 million dollars, sources confirm to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. The Bobcats joined the Sun Belt ahead of the 2013 season, one year after arriving in the FBS ranks as members of the WAC. 

The move is expected to be officially approved on Monday in regent meeting on Monday. 

The move makes financial sense for Texas State, especially as college athletics moves into the revenue-sharing era. Members of the Sun Belt received nearly $2 million per school from the conference’s media rights deal. The new-look Pac-12 is expected to pay each school between $7 and $10 million dollars. Even with the added travel budget required to play against Boise State, Washington State, Oregon State and others, that’s a major increase is financial support. Texas State was reportedly offered a full share but reports are conflicting on that. More should be known on the financial impact after the board meeting on Monday.  

The Pac-12 announced a five-year partnership that starts in 2026 with CBS for football and men’s basketball on Monday. Games will also appear on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network. Other potential partners include ESPN and The CW. 

The Pac-12 was on life support after USC, Oregon, UCLA, and Washington left for the Big Ten. Th plug was nearly pulled when Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State fled to the Big 12. The two remaining members – Washington State and Oregon State – were left out in the college football cold. But they kept the naming rights and solidified the conference with the additions of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State. Gonzaga joined as non-football members. 

Still, the Pac-12 needed eight full-time members to qualify for the College Football Playoff and tap into that extra revenue stream. And that’s where Texas State entered the picture. The Bobcats allow the conference a foothold in Texas in the city of San Marcos, which is located between the growing cities of Austin and San Antonio. The football team has won eight games and a bowl game in consecutive seasons.

Texas State will play the 2025 season in the Sun Belt before moving to the Pac-12 for the 2026 season. The Bobcats enter this year with high hopes to compete for a conference championship. A tough non-conference that includes trips to rival UTSA and reigning Big 12 champion Arizona State offer early obstacles. Head coach G.J. Kinne is 16-10 in two seasons at the helm with a 9-7 mark in conference play. 

Austin Sports Journal first to report.