Sun Belt Issues Joint Statement on Conference Realignment

Key Points:

• Since expanding to 14 football-playing members, the Sun Belt Conference has achieved its best four-year period in 50 years, leading all FBS non-autonomy conferences in football postseason appearances for four consecutive years.
• The conference has secured multiple bids in eight different sports and sent teams to prestigious national events, including the Men’s College Cup, Men’s College World Series, and the College Football Playoff, competing in national championship finals.
• The Sun Belt emphasizes a geographic footprint and divisional model that promotes regional rivalries, fan engagement, and cost-effective excellence across sports programs.
• Following James Madison’s announcement to leave, the conference leadership plans to explore all options to maintain and enhance the Sun Belt’s status as the premier FBS non-autonomy conference.
• The Sun Belt Board of Directors, led by Dr. Kyle Marrero, remains committed to regional rivalries, geographic alignment, and competitive excellence, which have driven the conference’s recent success and ongoing growth.