IRVING, Texas, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Conference Board of Directors voted unanimously today to admit James Madison University (JMU) as a full member of the conference. James Madison will begin competition in the American no later than July 1, 2028.

Following a formal written application from James Madison University, the American conducted a deliberate and comprehensive due diligence process to evaluate the institution, its alignment with the American and the long-term value of the relationship. The evaluation considered six primary areas: institutional and academic alignment; competitive strength and trajectory; institutional investment; financial sustainability and member value; brand, media value, fan engagement; and geography and operational fit. The conference used multiple sources of analysis, including a quantitative media-value study examining market characteristics, audience performance, fan engagement, competitive performance and other value drivers.

“The American Conference is a destination, and James Madison University represents everything we value and strengthens our membership,” said Commissioner Tim Pernetti. “The Dukes have rapidly built a nationally recognized brand through a culture of innovation, investment, bold leadership and competitive success. JMU’s trajectory aligns with who we are and where we are going. We look forward to welcoming the entire JMU community to the American and building something special together. Thank you to our highly engaged presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors for their thoughtful and collaborative work that led to a unanimous vote.”

James Madison brings a rapidly growing national brand, proven competitive performance, strong fan engagement and meaningful reach across Virginia, Washington, D.C. and the Mid-Atlantic states. JMU and the American share a commitment to higher education, student development and creating an outstanding student-athlete experience. This addition reinforces the American’s identity of innovation, grit and service and advances a conference that is Built to Rise.

James Madison’s membership reflects a meaningful investment in the American and has been structured to protect and enhance the value of the conference’s current membership. The additional media inventory associated with JMU’s membership expands the conference’s existing media platform, while current members’ distributions will be enhanced. JMU has also made a significant financial and commercial commitment to joining the American and investing alongside its members.

About the American Conference
The American Conference is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The league was founded in 1979, reconstituted in 2013 as the American Athletic Conference, and rebranded as the American Conference in 2025. With the conference office in Irving, Texas, the American includes the following institutions: University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States Military Academy West Point (Army, in football only), University of North Carolina at Charlotte, East Carolina University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Memphis, United States Naval Academy (Navy, in football only), University of North Texas, Rice University, University of South Florida, Temple University, University of Texas at San Antonio, Tulane University, University of Tulsa and Wichita State University (basketball and Olympic sports). Under the leadership of Commissioner Tim Pernetti, the American sponsors 20 sports, nine for men and 11 for women; is a member of the College Football Playoff; has television partnerships with ESPN and CBS Sports; and in the spring of 2019 signed a foundational television agreement with ESPN that commenced in 2020-21 and extends through the 2033-34 academic year. 

For more information, visit TheAmerican.org.

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SOURCE American Conference