Fresno State is completely free and clear from the Mountain West, as the Pac-12 and the university’s former conference agreed to a settlement to resolve a lawsuit over poaching fees for the departing schools. The deal stipulated that the Pac-12 would have to pay $10 million, with a $500,000 increase for every team that left the Mountain West for the other conference. The Pac-12 filed a lawsuit against the Mountain West in 2024 to challenge the legitimacy of the poaching fees. What they’re saying: “The Mountain West Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, Boise State University, Colorado State University, Utah State University, and The Board of Trustees of the California State University for the benefit of San Diego State University and California State University, Fresno have reached final agreements to settle all pending litigation among the parties,” a joint statement read. What we’re watching: Fresno State will open the football season on Sep. 4 at USC.