{"id":181669,"date":"2026-02-17T17:20:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T17:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/181669\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T17:20:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T17:20:12","slug":"what-sacramento-state-footballs-mac-move-means-for-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/181669\/","title":{"rendered":"What Sacramento State Football’s MAC Move Means for Fans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following months of speculation and rumors, it\u2019s official: Sacramento State football is moving from the FCS to the FBS.<\/p>\n

Sacramento State has announced that its football program will join the Mid-American Conference<\/a> beginning this coming season, as the Hornets are set to make history by making the leap into the FBS \u2014 a move the program has been eyeing for some time.<\/p>\n

During an interview with Sactown Sports\u2019 Jason Ross, Sacramento State Athletic Director Mark Orr described the move as \u201chistoric\u201d not only for the university but for the broader Sacramento region, noting that the investment reflects a long-term vision for Sacramento State football and its community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis community has been thirsting for big-time sports,\u201d Orr said. \u201cI\u2019m just so proud to bring the highest level of college football \u2014 FBS football \u2014 not only to Sacramento State, but to this entire region, in the face of a lot of folks who said it wouldn\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

(Sacramento State)<\/p>\n

When asked why Sacramento State football landed in the MAC instead of other conferences, Orr pointed to alignment, competitive quality, and exposure. He cited the MAC\u2019s history of talented players and national presence, saying the conference\u2019s vision \u201cwould be a good fit for Sacramento State.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMAC football is great football,\u201d Orr said. \u201cThe more we learned about their vision, the more it became clear this\u2026 aligns perfectly with Sacramento State.\u201d<\/p>\n

The financial strategy behind Sacramento State football\u2019s leap was a major topic. Orr emphasized that the move won\u2019t rely on student fees or state funds but will be funded through revenue generated by the football program itself \u2014 including game guarantees, corporate partnerships, and increased football-related income.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be no student fees, no state funds, and nothing taken away from the quality education we provide,\u201d he said.
\u201cThis is an institutional investment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Orr explained that game guarantees \u2014 where another school pays to play at Sacramento \u2014 will be a key revenue source, contrasting FCS guarantee levels with what an FBS status opens up.<\/p>\n

Sacramento State football\u2019s current guarantee for a road game against Fresno State pays roughly $400,000; FBS guarantees often top seven figures. He also pointed to growing donor interest and corporate support as part of the funding picture.<\/p>\n

National exposure played a big role in the decision, with the MAC\u2019s television footprint offering Sacramento State football visibility it has rarely had before.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn external economic impact study estimated $195 million in media value annually from MAC exposure alone,\u201d Orr said.<\/p>\n

Improving facilities is also part of the discussion. Short-term upgrades at Hornet Stadium are planned to enhance the spectator and visiting team experience, and Sacramento State athletic officials continue to explore a permanent stadium solution at Cal Expo to support the elevated status of Sacramento State football.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re investing over $3 million into Hornet Stadium this year \u2014 expanding end-zone seating, adding more padded seats, improving the visiting team locker room, suites, video boards, concessions, and restrooms,\u201d said Orr when asked about the upcoming changes to Hornet Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur permanent home for Sacramento State football is still under exploration at Cal Expo. We\u2019re working on feasibility studies and hope to continue progressing toward a permanent stadium solution,\u201d Orr said.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check out the entire interview with Sacramento State Athletic Director Mark Orr at the top of this page, or on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n

Follow @FCartoscelli3<\/a><\/p>\n

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