Louisiana Tech closes in on move to Sun Belt Conference

Field Level Media|published: Tue 21st April, 10:47 2026

NCAA Football: Louisiana Tech at Washington State

Nov 15, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs helmet sits during a game against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Louisiana Tech is a step closer to a move to the Sun Belt Conference on July 1 after coming to a settlement in principle with jilted Conference USA.

A settlement in principle means the two sides have reached an agreement on how to settle a dispute but have yet to finalize and execute the document.

Louisiana Tech has belonged to Conference USA since 2013 and announced last year that it planned to join the Sun Belt no later than the beginning of the 2027-28 academic year.

The school and CUSA had been unable to reach an agreement on how much Louisiana Tech should pay to leave the conference. The Athletic reported Tuesday that CUSA officials wanted $5.5 million, with Louisiana Tech offering "much less."

The issue wound up in litigation.

Once everyone signs off on the agreement, CUSA will need to redo conference schedules. Both CUSA and the Sun Belt, for example, issued schedules for football that included Louisiana Tech.

Under the Sun Belt Conference's schedule, the Bulldogs could get off to a rough start to the 2026 football season. Two of their first three games are on the road against power-4 teams LSU and Baylor

--Field Level Media

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