UTEP, Mountain West in 'deep discussions' about membership

UTEP and the Mountain West Conference are in serious discussions, per ESPN reporter Pete Thamel. The Miners have long wanted an invite to the Mountain West and sources say that interest is mutual between the two parties. The Mountain West, which currently sits at six full-time members plus Hawaii in football – must add two more full-time members to qualify as an FBS conference. 

UTEP joined Conference USA after the 2004-05 school year when the WAC split and left the Miners out of the new Mountain West. The WAC in 2004 included Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada, Hawaii, and others. The current CUSA television deal pays $400,000-500,000 per school. The projections in the MWC are $4-$5 million. The remaining members of the MWC are Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, San Jose State, Wyoming, and New Mexico.