California School Offering $10 Million To Join Major College Football Conference

Sacramento State is going all-in on its efforts to become a college sports powerhouse.

The same school that is currently building a $172 million football stadium and recently hired Mike Bibby as its head basketball coach and Shaquille O'Neal as its basketball GM is now reportedly offering $10 million plus foregoing league revenues to join a conference and make the jump from the second-tier FCS to the FBS of major college football.

Sacramento State is in the midst of an aggressive effort to join an FBS league, proposing a $10M+ entry fee plus forgoing league revenues, sources tell @YahooSports.

Multiples conferences heard the pitch. One is believed to be exploring the possibility.https://t.co/2X0S63E2DI

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 6, 2026

According to Yahoo's Ross Dellenger, the Mid-American Conference is open to the Hornets joining the conference even though it makes no geographical sense. 

Get ready to learn Tuesday night MACtion, Hornets https://t.co/CP4z6VQ6kw

— RedditFCS (@Reddit_FCS) February 6, 2026

If UCLA and Rutgers can now be in the same conference, why can't Sacramento State and Bowling Green?