James Madison University (JMU) is leaving the Sun Belt Conference and is set to join the American Athletic Conference. Multiple outlets report that the American Conference’s board votes to admit JMU as a full member, with competition in the American beginning no later than July 1, 2028.
The sources describe JMU’s move as part of ongoing college football conference realignment. The Athletic notes that JMU’s board votes to terminate its Sun Belt membership and to apply for the American, after JMU joined the Sun Belt in 2022 following its move to the Football Bowl Subdivision. Front Office Sports and Yahoo Sports add that the timing may relate to Sun Belt exit fees that would rise following a pending vote, and Yahoo Sports also reports that the move is expected to increase JMU’s TV rights revenue. Yahoo Sports quotes American commissioner Tim Pernetti about the addition.
Overall, the outlets agree on the decision by the American to admit JMU and the 2028 start date, while differing on emphasis—exit-fee timing, board actions at JMU, and projected media revenue.
