Louisiana Tech suing Conference USA, moves to join Sun Belt in 2026
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The ULS, (University of Louisiana Systems) is suing Conference USA on behalf of Louisiana Tech, requesting an injunction that will allow the Bulldogs to join the Sun Belt in July for the 2026 season.
Here’s an official statement from Louisiana Tech regarding the lawsuit, per Lincoln Parish Journal:
“Today, Louisiana Tech took a necessary step in the best interest of its student athletes. When we joined Conference USA in 2013, its membership was different, its scheduling was different, and the landscape of college athletics was very different. Seven months ago, we notified CUSA of our intent to exit in July 2026. We have worked in good faith toward an amicable separation within conference bylaws. The proposed 2026 football schedule drafted by CUSA left us no choice but to pursue this remedy. Our move to the Sun Belt enhances the experience of our student athletes, renews regional rivalries, and significantly benefits the Louisiana economy. Additionally CUSA has previously acknowledged the difficulty of crafting an 11-team schedule if we were to remain next year. We have tried to offer a fair financial resolution to this dispute and are hopeful that we can resolve it without resorting to prolonged litigation.”
Conference USA responded to Louisiana Tech’s initial notice that they would be leaving the conference on July 1, 2026, citing CUSA bylaws in trying to get the Bulldogs to reconsider the timeline of their departure. Louisiana Tech was, because of this, asked to make a financial offer to the CUSA, leading to a February 20th letter from CUSA insisting that, “the Board did not and cannot accept Louisiana Tech’s offer to withdraw early and has included Louisiana Tech on its 2026 schedule.”
Several factors play into this, but a major factor is CUSA’s position that it is “entitled to two (2) full years of withheld distributions as a condition of any early departure and stated it would consider dispute resolution only if Louisiana Tech agreed in advance to that financial entitlement.”
These distributions, according to the Lincoln Parish Journal, are numbered around $1 million per year for Louisiana Tech.
Here’s a look at the latest odds to reach the College Football Playoff next season:
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
