by Malcolm Butler
According to a document filed in the United States District Court Western Division of Louisiana (Monroe Division) on March 31 (see below), the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System on behalf of Louisiana Tech will begin mediation with Conference USA today.
This is a facilitated negotiation — a mutual step in the right direction — as both sides look to find an agreeable and fair financial compensation that Louisiana Tech would pay Conference USA upon its departure on July 1, 2026.
The ULS filed a lawsuit against Conference USA on behalf of Louisiana Tech in early March before then filing an amended lawsuit in mid-March.
According to the recent filing, the two parties agreed on March 20 to discuss possible mediation and then agreed to it on March 26, with the date set for today.
In arbitration, both parties are bound to the decision of the arbitrator (or judge), while in mediation, neither side is legally bound to a decision or recommendation by the mediator.
Louisiana Tech accepted the Sun Belt Conference’s invitation last July and immediately notified Conference USA of its intentions to depart the league on the last day of June, 2026.
However, the two sides have not been able to agree to financial terms.
