San Diego State reportedly leaving Mountain West, is Pac-12 next?

San Diego State reportedly “intends to resign from the Mountain West Conference,” according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, leaving some speculation that the Aztecs could join the Pac-12.

Sources: San Diego State gave the Mountain West written notice this week that the school “intends to resign from the Mountain West Conference.” SDSU asked the Mountain West for a “one-month extension given unforeseen delays involving other collegiate athletic conferences beyond…

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 16, 2023

Given its location and athletic success, it has been rumored for a long time that San Diego State would eventually join the Pac-12. Thamel also reported that SDSU does not currently have an invitation to the Pac-12 or any other Power 5 conference.

Here's our @ESPN story on San Diego State's June 13 letter to the Mountain West that it "intends" to exit. SDSU does not have an invitation to the Pac-12, according a source. "SDSU is exploring all of the options and asking all the questions." https://t.co/nrRYjhhgA6

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 16, 2023

According to the article, the Aztecs will need to give a year of notice before June 30 to leave the Mountain West, or else the fee to leave will jump from $16.5 million to $34 million.

Thamel added further that SDSU joining the Pac-12 could be contingent on a TV deal or a departure of a school, and that the school “is attempting explore all options” should a TV deal not get done by June 30.

With all of the rumors surrounding who could leave the Pac-12 recently, ASU’s athletic director Ray Anderson told PHNX earlier this week that the Sun Devils have no plans to leave the conference.

Is conference realignment in the cards for Arizona State?

Athletic director Ray Anderson gave his thoughts on it.
🎧: https://t.co/nNPi6hdJcU pic.twitter.com/3p7da3SP3y

— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils) June 13, 2023

There have also been rumors that the Aztecs could join the Big 12, but there have been no reported conversations between the sides.

ASU football welcomes several official visitors this weekend (June 16-18), who are they?

San Diego State has been with the Mountain West since 1999, and it has arguably the greatest athletic success since being there. If they were to join the Pac-12 and everyone else stay, it would be a big boost to regain the Southern California market with the upcoming departures of UCLA and USC.

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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @Brendan_Mau