The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) will embark on a new journey in the Mountain West Conference starting July 1. Athletic Director Jim Senter has been working towards this goal since he started at UTEP in 2017. The move from Conference USA, which UTEP has been a part of since 2005, came at a cost of $8 million in exit fees, which were covered by donors.

New Opportunities

The Mountain West Conference brings new opportunities for UTEP, including a chance to earn money from subscriptions to the conference’s streaming service, Mountain West Plus. Senter stated that about 60% of the money from these subscriptions will go back to UTEP. The conference will also provide more exposure for UTEP’s athletic programs, with some games being televised on linear channels.

Changes are also in store for the fan experience, with giveaways, special food items, and drone shows planned for the upcoming football season. The student section and marching band will be seated behind the opposing team’s bench, providing a more immersive experience for fans.

Investment and Revenue

Despite the opportunities, UTEP still faces challenges in terms of investment and revenue. The school is projecting a revenue-sharing pool of $3.45 million, which is significantly less than fellow Mountain West Conference rival UNLV, which is projecting $11 million. Senter acknowledged that there is always someone with a bigger checkbook, but he remains committed to building winning programs at UTEP.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.