MWC, WAC resume membership dance

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - On a day where BYU is reportedly thinking about leaving, the Mountain West Conference made a pre-emptive strike inviting two Western Athletic Conference teams to the conference.

The Mountain West extended an offer of membership to Fresno State and the University of Nevada.

However, since Boise State is leaving, all of the remaining WAC schools signed a $5 million buy-out, so that may be a possible roadblock to Fresno and Nevada jumping ship.

Sept. 1 marks the date by which the BYU Cougars must make a decision on whether to stay in the Mountain West or leave for the 2011 season. If they do leave, BYU will become a football independent and rejoin the WAC in all other sports.

If the Cougars go independent, ESPN may offer them a lucrative TV contract for football.

During the Mountain West media day Commissioner Craig Thompson talked about how TV contracts always keep open the possibilities of change.

"Much of the expansion and conversation is based on TV contracts," Thompson said. "And so once those new ones kick in and are negotiated, I think we will be ok for a short period of time.

"But I would not be surprised if we revisit the effort of membership change."