5 Reasons Why NIU Should Leave the MAC for the Mountain West in All Sports
There’s too much noise to ignore it anymore.
As Northern Illinois University (NIU) considers its athletic future, the time has come to weigh a transformative option: moving from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to the Mountain West Conference. Not just in football, but all sports.
I know. Admittedly, this idea will have its critics, and some hopeless romantics may say, “leave the MAC alone.” After all, NIU has found success in the MAC and developed a unique “MACtion” identity that fans enjoy. But in the current college sports landscape, this move could be a powerful opportunity for growth. It’s worth noting that NIU, the furthest west team in the MAC, faces grueling bus travel routes compared to other conference members and rarely benefits from proximity-based rivalries. Don’t forget, the Huskies were once in the Big West for football. This isn’t as crazy as you might think. In fact, moving to the Mountain West would place NIU in a conference more aligned with its athletic aspirations, and national reach.
Here’s why the Mountain West should be NIU’s next best step.
1. Elevated Competition and National Recognition
While the MAC has been a solid home for NIU, the Mountain West offers a level of national attention that the MAC currently cannot match. The Mountain West boasts programs like Air Force and others that regularly appear in national rankings and play in prominent bowl games. Plus an actual path to the College Football Playoff by comparison to what MACtion offers. This type of competition could help elevate NIU’s brand, providing the Huskies with opportunities to play in marquee matchups and build a stronger national following.
NIU has shown it can compete on a national stage, as demonstrated by the recent thrilling upset over Notre Dame — a game that generated buzz across the country and showcased NIU’s potential to go head-to-head with elite programs. Moving to the Mountain West would create regular chances to play against widely recognized teams, amplifying NIU’s visibility and allowing the program to leverage national media coverage in a way that simply isn’t feasible in the MAC.
The competition in the Mountain West is also well-suited to NIU’s ambitions. Programs in this conference are known for their competitiveness, attracting skilled athletes and generating fan excitement that carries across seasons. By joining the Mountain West, NIU could capitalize on its recent momentum and begin building a national reputation that extends beyond occasional “Cinderella” moments. This move could establish NIU as a legitimate national contender, season after season.
2. Improved Recruitment Opportunities
Recruitment is one of the most significant challenges — and opportunities — facing any athletic program. While NIU has successfully recruited talent within the Midwest, the Mountain West’s geographic footprint could open doors to recruit in some of the nation’s most talent-rich areas, particularly California, Texas, and the Southwest. With Mountain West schools regularly recruiting from these regions, NIU could benefit from a new pipeline of high-caliber athletes eager to compete against known programs and gain national exposure.
Expanding recruiting reach would not only enhance NIU’s football program but would also benefit sports like basketball, soccer, and volleyball, where access to a larger pool of talent could make the Huskies more competitive in conference play and beyond. The Mountain West’s reputation and broader media exposure provide an advantage that could appeal to top-tier recruits, who want to showcase their skills in games that consistently draw high viewership.
Moreover, high-profile matchups with programs from the Mountain West would create an enticing environment for recruits, signaling to athletes that NIU competes on a larger stage and offers opportunities to play before national audiences. By joining the Mountain West, NIU could reinvigorate its recruitment efforts, appealing to athletes seeking a combination of competitive play, top facilities, and significant exposure.
3. Significant TV Revenue Boost
One of the strongest, most quantifiable benefits of moving to the Mountain West is the increase in television revenue. The Mountain West’s current media rights agreement with CBS Sports and Fox Sports is valued at $270 million, which provides each school with roughly $4 million annually. This payout is substantially higher than the MAC’s television revenue distribution, where schools receive considerably less, making it difficult to invest in facilities, talent, and program growth at the same level.
The additional revenue from the Mountain West would be a game-changer for NIU. With these funds, NIU could improve athletic facilities, attract top coaching talent, and enhance the overall experience for athletes and fans. The Huskies could invest in upgrades that provide long-term benefits, positioning NIU’s athletic programs to thrive for years to come.
Beyond program improvements, the Mountain West’s broader television coverage would help NIU engage its alumni base, particularly in the Chicago area, where fans often struggle to find games on local broadcasts. The Mountain West has national media contracts that would put NIU on a larger stage, ensuring that alumni and fans can regularly watch Huskies games and remain connected to the program. This increased exposure could fuel fan interest, boost merchandise sales, and strengthen NIU’s connection to its supporters.
4. Increased Attendance, Fan Engagement, and Regional Relevance
The MAC’s midweek “MACtion” games have become a fan favorite, offering something different on the college sports calendar. But as fun as these games can be, the midweek scheduling often limits fan attendance due to work and school obligations. The Mountain West, in contrast, schedules most games on weekends, allowing fans to enjoy traditional game-day experiences without the midweek hassle.
NIU has a significant advantage with its 10,000-seat basketball arena — a capacity that surpasses many other MAC schools. However, the team hasn’t qualified for March Madness since 1996, and current conference matchups don’t always draw fans in droves. Moving to the Mountain West, with its higher-profile teams and weekend scheduling, would allow NIU to capitalize on its impressive facilities. Hosting games against prominent Mountain West programs would help fill the arena, creating a home-court advantage that supports NIU’s journey toward returning to postseason play.
Additionally, competing in the Mountain West would allow NIU to more easily schedule games against in-state rivals like Illinois and Northwestern. With Illinois football on the rise and Northwestern planning a new stadium, NIU could establish regular rivalries with these programs, boosting interest among local fans and raising NIU’s profile within the state. This regional relevance would help foster a passionate fan base that sees NIU not just as a Midwestern program but as a powerhouse capable of drawing crowds and rivaling prominent schools in the region.
5. Alignment with NIU’s Academic and Athletic Goals
The Mountain West includes respected public universities like the University of Nevada and the University of New Mexico, both of which align with NIU’s mission as a leading public research institution. The Mountain West’s institutions share NIU’s focus on balancing academic excellence with athletic competitiveness, creating opportunities for collaboration in areas that extend beyond the playing field.
By joining the Mountain West, NIU could form academic partnerships and research initiatives with other conference schools, enhancing its academic reputation while contributing to the holistic development of student-athletes. This alignment would also allow NIU to recruit student-athletes who value both high-quality academics and the opportunity to compete at a high level in athletics.
Furthermore, joining a conference with similarly respected institutions would elevate NIU’s standing in both athletics and academia. This alignment would benefit not only NIU’s athletes but also the university’s larger academic community, creating an environment that prioritizes success in the classroom and on the field.
Conclusion: A Strategic Move for a Stronger Future
Transitioning to the Mountain West would give NIU the visibility, resources, and competition necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving world of college athletics. The Mountain West’s significant TV revenue boost, increased recruiting reach, stronger national profile, and weekend-focused scheduling would make NIU more competitive and allow it to leverage its existing strengths.
For NIU alums, leaving the MAC may feel like a leap, but it’s a step toward a more secure, dynamic future that could elevate the Huskies to a level of national recognition they deserve. The Mountain West is more than just a change of scenery — it’s the upgrade NIU needs to position itself for sustained success on a national stage.
