Louisiana Tech could become another team that’s involved in recent conference realignment.
La Tech could be looking at an invite from the Sun Belt in the near future, according to a report from ESPN, if Texas State were to leave for the Pac-12. That would make sense for the Bulldogs, certainly, but the Sun Belt will have plenty of options if Texas State does leave.
Here’s a look at what this means for Louisiana Tech and Group of Five college football.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
Reasoning For La Tech’s Sun Belt Move
Though nothing is finalized, the Sun Belt is already preparing for Texas State to leave and is looking at Louisiana Tech as a potential addition.
The Sun Belt has strongly considered programs that would make sense geographically, not just necessarily ones that have performed well on the field. The league would also see La Tech’s success in baseball and softball as bonuses as well.
Louisiana Tech, if it went to the Sun Belt, would be near other SBC teams like Louisiana, ULM, and Southern Miss.
When Would Louisiana Tech Join The Sun Belt?
Assuming Texas State would go to the Pac-12 in 2026, it would make sense for Louisiana Tech to also jump conferences that year. However, much still needs to happen for a target date to be formalized.
Western Kentucky & Liberty’s Sun Belt Possibility
Many would likely see Western Kentucky and Liberty as potential targets for the Sun Belt over Louisiana Tech strictly because of football success.
La Tech hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2019. Western Kentucky, meanwhile, has appeared in a bowl game in every season except for one going back to 2014. Liberty has appeared in six straight bowl games, winning Conference USA and appearing in the Fiesta Bowl in 2023.
But as has been the case with pretty much all conference realignment, success on the football field is only a part of the equation. And according to ESPN, the Sun Belt would prefer Louisiana Tech over those two schools right now.
Louisiana Tech’s Conference USA Buyout
Louisiana Tech would need to pay two years worth of revenue distribution and buy back its grant of rights to leave CUSA for the Sun Belt. For La Tech to leave in 2026, ESPN reported the cost could be more than $5 million.
Teams In The Sun Belt
Marshall, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Old Dominion, Coastal Carolina, App State, and Georgia State are in the Sun Belt East, while Louisiana, Texas State, Arkansas State, South Alabama, ULM, Troy, and Southern Miss are in the Sun Belt West.
Teams In Conference USA
Jacksonville State, Western Kentucky, Sam Houston, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, UTEP, FIU, New Mexico State, Middle Tennessee, and Kennesaw State were the teams in Conference USA in 2024. However, Delaware and Missouri State will be joining CUSA in 2025.
Sun Belt 2025 Conference Realignment News
Texas State has been rumored to be a candidate for Pac-12 expansion, though the Bobcats weren’t the first program the Pac-12 considered.
The Pac-12 added five Mountain West schools, but the league initially wanted more from the MW. UNLV and Air Force were seen as potential Pac-12 candidates as well, but they are staying put and therefore are receiving more money from the Mountain West. The Pac-12 is supposed to pay hefty fees for taking Mountain West schools, but exactly how much may need to be settled in court.
The Pac-12 also tried adding multiple AAC programs like Tulane and UTSA, but those schools recommitted to the AAC. Memphis could still potentially go to the Pac-12 for football, but that seems uncertain as well.
Sun Belt Media Deal
Teams in the Sun Belt receive about $2 million per year thanks to its media deal with ESPN, which ends in 2031.
Conference USA Media Deal
Conference USA agreed to a five-year media rights deal that began during the 2023 football season with ESPN and CBS. There’s an option for a sixth year as well, which would be for the 2028-29 academic year. Teams were scheduled to be paid about $750,000 per year on average.
How Long Has Louisiana Tech Been In CUSA?
Louisiana Tech has played in Conference USA since 2013. The Bulldogs were in the WAC before that.
