Sacramento State's move to the MAC has everyone talking — For all the wrong reasons

Sacramento State’s move to the MAC has everyone talking — For all the wrong reasons originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In a move that stunned college sports administrators across the country, Sacramento State agreed to a five-year deal to leave the Big Sky Conference and join the Mid-American Conference.

But accepting terms has raised significant financial and logistical questions.

Here are three reasons the agreement is being widely viewed as one of the most head-scratching deals in recent college athletics history.

A steep $18 million entry fee

Sacramento State will pay a reported $18 million to join the MAC, including $6 million due in the first year. For a program transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision level, that immediate financial burden is substantial. Athletic departments outside the Power Four already operate with tight margins, and committing that level of upfront capital could limit flexibility in facilities, coaching salaries and NIL infrastructure.

Forfeiting conference revenue sharing

Under the terms of the deal, Sacramento State will forgo any MAC revenue distribution for the first five years. While the MAC does not generate SEC- or Big Ten-level payouts, annual conference revenue still amounts to millions of dollars. Opting out of those funds removes a key financial cushion during a period when travel, scholarships and operating costs are expected to rise significantly.

Geographic and travel costs to the West Coast

The MAC’s footprint is concentrated in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Sacramento, California, sits more than 2,000 miles away. As part of the agreement, Sacramento State is responsible for covering airfare costs for visiting MAC teams traveling west. Cross-country flights for multiple sports add up quickly, compounding an already expensive transition.

More:Nebraska finally admits Big Ten hasn’t worked and wanted out

Sacramento State officials have framed the move as “disruptive marketing,” betting that FBS membership will increase visibility, enrollment and recruiting power. Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen, but the financial risk is undeniable.

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Sacramento State’s move to the MAC has everyone talking — For all the wrong reasons

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