Utah Valley University (UVU) received a court injunction, allowing both its men's and women's basketball teams to compete in the WAC tournaments.
The injunction is related to a $1 million lawsuit concerning an unpaid exit fee as UVU prepares to leave the conference.
UVU's coach, Todd Phillips, praised the team's resilience and performance, highlighting their regular-season championship win against Southern Utah.
The court's decision protects UVU student-athletes' rights to participate in postseason opportunities they earned through hard work, dedication and performance throughout the season.
Why this matters: The injunction ensures that UVU's basketball teams can compete in the WAC tournaments, preserving their opportunity to vie for a conference title and potential NCAA tournament berth. It also reinstates broadcast rights, ensuring our athletes, teams, coaches and fans receive the coverage, visibility and viewership they deserve.
Utah Valley University's legal battle with the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) centers around a $1 million exit fee the conference claims UVU owes. UVU argues that a Texas court lacks jurisdiction and that the fee is tied to a larger agreement among remaining WAC member schools. The court's decision to grant the preliminary injunction is based on the likelihood that UVU will prevail in its claims and the potential for irreparable harm to the university's student-athletes if they were barred from postseason play.
The initial temporary restraining order allowed UVU to participate in the WAC indoor track and field championships and broadcast their games. Scoutt Houle was named WAC men's coach of the year Friday after leading the UVU men's team to its first indoor title since 2015, with mile and 3,000-meter star Sila Kiplagat winning league freshman of the year. Now, this latest ruling extends those rights to the basketball tournaments.
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds faced the Utah Valley Wolverines on March 5, 2026, with Utah Valley favored to win. The game was broadcast on ESPN+.
Q: What does the injunction mean for Utah Valley University?
It allows UVU's men's and women's basketball teams to participate in the WAC tournaments, despite the ongoing legal dispute with the conference.
Q: What is the core of the legal dispute between UVU and the WAC?
It revolves around a $1 million exit fee that the WAC claims UVU owes for leaving the conference.
Q: Where was the Southern Utah vs. Utah Valley game played?
The game took place in Cedar City, Utah, at the America First Event Center.
UVU's basketball teams can now compete in the WAC tournaments, maintaining their postseason aspirations.
The legal battle over exit fees highlights the financial complexities of conference realignment in college sports.
The court's decision underscores the importance of protecting student-athletes' opportunities to compete.
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