The Pac-12 is adding Utah State as its seventh member and is in discussions with basketball powerhouse Gonzaga to join the rebuilding conference in 2026, multiple people with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press on Monday.

Utah State and UNLV were the main targets for the Pac-12 after a group of American Athletic Conference schools decided to stay put, following a pitch to join the rebuilding Conference of Champions. But the Mountain West was working to keep its remaining eight schools together and UNLV’s decision remained uncertain, according to two of the people.

The Mountain West received commitments from Air Force and San Jose State on Monday, according to two other people with knowledge of that conference’s situation. Air Force had been drawing interest from the AAC to join Army and Navy in that conference.

The other Mountain West schools include New Mexico, Wyoming, Nevada and Hawaii for football only.

The people all spoke on condition of anonymity because both Pac-12’s and Mountain West’s strategy and internal discussions were not being made public.

The Pac-12’s moves came after four American Athletic Conference schools, who had been pitched on joining the reconstructed league, announced they remained committed to the AAC.

Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, UTSA and the American Athletic Conference released a statement that made no mention of the Pac-12, but several people with knowledge of those talks told AP the conference had targeted those schools as potential new members.

The Pac-12 began to restock for a 2026 relaunch two weeks ago by landing Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State from the Mountain West to join Washington State and Oregon State, the only two Pac-12 schools left after a dramatic round of realignment took effect this summer.

The Pac-12 needed at least two more members in all sports to reach the eight required to be a recognized conference with access to NCAA championships and the College Football Playoff in 2026.

Reggie Bush sues to seek NIL compensation

Former Southern California football star Reggie Bush says he is suing his school, the NCAA and the Pac-12 in a bid to recoup money made on his name, image and likeness during his career with the Trojans two decades ago.

In a brief news release from Bush’s attorneys Monday announcing the filing, the Heisman Trophy-winning tailback’s representatives claim he should be paid “to address and rectify ongoing injustices stemming from the exploitation of Reggie Bush’s name, image, and likeness during his tenure as a USC football player.” The release revealed no specifics about the intended suit.

Bush was one of the most exciting players in recent college football history during his three years at USC from 2003-05 while winning two national titles and the Heisman. He went on to an 11-year NFL career.

Bush forfeited his Heisman in 2010 after USC was hit with massive sanctions partly related to Bush’s dealings with two aspiring sports marketers. The Heisman Trust restored the honor earlier this year and returned the trophy to Bush, citing fundamental changes in the structure of college athletics over the past 14 years.

Bush is still pursuing the separate defamation lawsuit he filed against the NCAA last year over the governing body’s 2021 characterization of the circumstances that led to Bush’s troubles.

motorsports

IndyCar finalizes charter system for 25 entrants

IndyCar on Monday finalized a charter system for 25 entrants that, while it pales in comparison to the contentious deal reached between NASCAR and its teams over their revenue sharing model, does give 10 open wheel organizations some guarantees.

The initial agreement runs through the 2031 season and ensures the 25 chartered cars a starting spot in all IndyCar races except the Indianapolis 500. Teams will still have to qualify on speed for the Indy 500’s 33-car field, and that was one of the biggest elements of negotiations as opinions were divided among traditionalists and those seeking greater value for their teams.

Chartered entries are also the only cars eligible for the Leaders Circle program, which is a monetary bonus awarded by IndyCar to the top 22 finishers at the end of each season. That bonus money covers significant portions of some teams’ annual budgets.

Briefly

NHL >> John Tortorella had a former hockey coach help him Monday at Philadelphia Flyers training camp — the father of the late John and Matthew Gaudreau, who was an invited guest. The Flyers tapped their sticks in appreciation of Guy Gaudreau, a former hockey coach at Hollydell Ice Arena and Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, when he hit the ice to assist with drills during practice..

NHL >> Logan O’Connor and the Colorado Avalanche agreed to a six-year extension that will keep him with the organization through the 2030-31 season.

NBA >> New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson could miss the first two months of the season as he recovers from offseason left ankle surgery, a person with knowledge of the details said Monday. Robinson, 26, had surgery in May after reinjuring his ankle in the playoffs and won’t be ready to get on the court when NBA training camps open next week. Instead, a December or January return is being targeted, the person told The Associated Press.

college basketball >> Nebraska men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure Friday to have his pacemaker replaced, the athletic department announced Monday. Hoiberg, 51, was born with an abnormal aortic valve and had surgeries in 2005 and 2015. His heart condition was discovered during a life insurance physical and brought an end to his NBA playing career. This will be Hoiberg’s second pacemaker replacement.

— The Associated Press