NIU football's move to the Mountain West Conference was inspired by another major college football realignment move, and it might mean more change is coming for Northern Illinois athletics.

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is poised to join UNLV in the Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026, a decision expected to pass during a board of trustees meeting Tuesday.

The Northern Illinois Huskies' football program is officially joining the Mountain West Conference for the 2026 season. NIU's board of trustees approved the MWC's $2 million membership fee on Tuesday.

They will join Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming in the Mountain West.

With NIU leaving the conference, it’s a good time to start looking around at who could be on the target sheet for expansion.

The Mountain West’s football members would include Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming. This would not be the first time NIU has ...

“We are excited about adding Northern Illinois football to the Mountain West,” commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement. “In evaluating NIU, the MW board of directors and directors of ...

The Huskies will officially join the Mountain West as a football-only school beginning ... day for Northern Illinois University, for the NIU football program, and for Huskie fans throughout ...

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is poised to join UNLV in the Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026, a decision expected to pass during a board of trustees meeting Tuesday.

[Editor’s note at 3:10 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 7, 2024: updated to insert NIU Board of Trustee’s approval of the Mountain West invitation and insert quotes from NIU AD Sean Frazier.] ...

Freeman said Tuesday. Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said NIU's "history of football success and its commitment to academic excellence" were draws. The Mountain West has been rebuilding ...