The Mountain West is in deep discussions about adding UTEP as a full member, sources told ESPN, and there’s mutual interest between the sides.
A deal has yet to be finalized, per ESPN sources, but an answer on UTEP joining the league is expected soon.
The potential addition of UTEP has loomed as an obvious target for the league from both a geography and tradition standpoint. The school would give the Mountain West an addition in Texas as the league rebuilds after five schools announced they were leaving for the Pac-12.
The addition of UTEP would give the league seven full-time members — joining UNLV, San Jose State, Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico and Air Force. The Mountain West needs to build to eight members to become a formal conference. (Hawaii remains a football-only member.)
The Mountain West is seeking to get to eight members, the minimum for a league, after Utah State, Boise State, San Jose State, San Diego State and Fresno State announced their departures.
