Sacramento State is actively pursuing a transition to a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference, signaling its ambition to compete at a higher level in college football. In a bold move reminiscent of Memphis’s previous attempt to join the Big 12 through a substantial financial proposal, Sacramento State officials are proposing an eight-figure entry fee along with the forfeiture of league revenues as an incentive for multiple conferences to consider their application.
While several FBS leagues, including the Mountain West and the Pac-12, have declined Sacramento State’s proposal, others like the Mid-American Conference (MAC) are reportedly assessing the possibility. This endeavor comes amid Sacramento State’s challenges as it transitions from the Big Sky Conference to the Big West, which does not sponsor football, thereby leaving its football program in a precarious position as an independent team.
Athletic Director Mark Orr and University President Luke Wood have publicly expressed their intentions to elevate Sacramento State’s football program. Their request to compete as an FBS independent this coming season was denied last summer, indicating the school’s proactive approach to achieving FBS status. The Hornets have already scheduled seven football games for the 2026 season, which includes six FCS opponents.
The proposal’s attractiveness lies in its financial viability, especially for lower-budget schools in the MAC. Sacramento State is said to be offering an entry fee upwards of $10 million along with the surrender of a share of conference revenues for a set period, mimicking a strategy employed successfully by Southern Methodist University (SMU) in its transition to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Geographically, Sacramento State’s location is advantageous, situated in a metropolitan area of over two million residents and ranking as the 20th largest television market in the United States. The university, part of the California State University system with an enrollment of about 30,000 students, is seeking to make significant investments in its sports facilities, including planned renovations to its football stadium to meet FBS standards.
The hiring of experienced figures like men’s basketball coach Mike Bibby and the announcement of Shaquille O’Neal as a voluntary general manager illustrates the athletic department’s commitment to enhancing its programs. Football head coach Alonzo Carter, in his first year, has built a competitive roster, including several transfers from power conferences, bolstered by a robust NIL fundraising support.
Sacramento State has a recent history of athletic success, having won three consecutive Big Sky championships under former coach Troy Taylor and advancing to the FCS quarterfinals in 2022. With a profitable sponsorship deal recently inked with Wilton Rancheria and Sky River Casino worth $7.5 million over five years, the university appears to be investing heavily in its athletic future.
This proactive approach highlights Sacramento State’s potential for growth in the collegiate athletics landscape and its commitment to building a competitive football program that could attract deeper engagement from fans and sponsors alike.