Sun Belt raises exit fee to $8M-$18M on notice scale

Follows James Madison vote to leave in 2028

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

The Sun Belt adopted new exit fees this week, increasing the exit amount from $5 million to a range of $8-18 million tha Via @RossDellenger on X

What happened: Sources told Yahoo Sports the league adopted the new structure this week, replacing a flat $5 million fee. The amount is tied to departure-notice date, starting at $8 million with at least 27 months notice and escalating on shorter timelines.

Why it matters: James Madison already voted to leave for the American on July 1, 2028, and the pending vote sped up that departure. A higher, notice-based fee raises the cost and timeline calculus for any other member considering a move.

By the numbers: Previous fee: $5M flat. New fee: $8M with 27-plus months notice, up to $18M on shortest notice.

What to watch: Watch for formal departure notices that will set where schools land on the scale. The league's next membership moves will show how restrictive the top end proves.

Sources

@RossDellenger 2026-10-16T18:51:17.428119+00:00

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