Western Kentucky – or fellow Conference USA member Louisiana Tech – could be looking at an offer from another Group of Five conference in the near future.
WKU and La Tech are two options the Sun Belt is mulling, according to a report from ESPN, as potential new members. This is in light of Texas State nearing a deal to leave the SBC for the Pac-12.
While La Tech appears to be the frontrunner for now, WKU is still an option for the Sun Belt. Here’s a look at why Western Kentucky might be the next school involved in conference realignment.
Western Kentucky To The Sun Belt?
The Sun Belt has been getting ready for Texas State to go to the Pac-12, as the school has already been in communication with the conference about potentially leaving.
The Sun Belt has strongly considered programs that would make sense geographically, not just necessarily ones that have performed well on the field. Western Kentucky wouldn’t be too far away from many Sun Belt schools. It would certainly be closer than Texas State.
Some argue WKU would be a better fit for the Sun Belt because of its football success. Also, Western Kentucky used to be in the Sun Belt, granted that was back in 2013.
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.
When Would Western Kentucky Join The Sun Belt?
Assuming Texas State would go to the Pac-12 in 2026, it would make sense for Western Kentucky to also jump conferences that year or a year after. However, much still needs to happen for a target date to be formalized.
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. 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 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 Western Kentucky Been In CUSA?
Western Kentucky has played in Conference USA since 2014. The Hilltoppers were in the Sun Belt before that, from 2009-13.
