Report: BYU Leaving Mountain West Conference, Chooses Football Independent Route

After months of speculation and weighing options, the Salt Lake Tribune reports that Brigham Young University has left the Mountain West Conference and has declared football independence.

It was a decision that has been debated for many years amongst BYU athletics, and the departure of in-state rival, Utah, from the MWC to the Pac-10 two months ago definitely ignited the move by the Cougars. BYU had also displayed interest in moving to a BCS conference earlier in the summer (like the Pac-10, Big Ten or Big 12), but none of the conferences came calling for the faith-based institution.

BYU — which is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — will move all other sports to compete in the Western Athletic Conference, and the football team will still play four to six contests against WAC opponents. Sources told the Salt Lake Tribune that the BYU athletics' administration is still waiting on approval from the Church of Latter Day Saints on the independent move. The administration is expected to give a news conference early next week.

Much of BYU's discontent with the MWC lies with its meager revenues from MWC television network each year. Last season, the Cougars earned just $1.3 million last season in television broadcasts on the Mountain West Sports Network.

As an independent, BYU could broadcast on its own television station, BYU-TV, which occupies reach on major satellite networks. Combined with the HD option developed in their new campus television station, and the support of the Mormon church, BYU is hoping to launch a national following similar to Notre Dame's.

But what the Cougars really want from the independent status is a heightened opportunity to qualify for a BCS bowl. As an independent, BYU will make its own schedule and would keep its share of the bowl money, rather than split the revenue with a conference.

Consideration for a BCS appearance for BYU, however, would not be at the same scale as a team like Notre Dame. But a selection could bring in approximately $6 million to schools this year, a huge enticement for BYU taking the independent route. BCS executive director Bill Hancock told ESPN.com in an email on Wednesday that "Every school is eligible to be considered by a bowl for at-large selection if it is ranked in the top 14."

The MWC was anticipating the move by BYU, and prepared earlier Wednesday by extending invitations to Fresno State and Nevada from the WAC to join their conference. It is being reported that both schools have accepted the offers.