James Madison accepted the American Conference's invitation on Oct 12. Here is the story in 15 seconds.
JMU's Board of Visitors voted unanimously to accept the invitation in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The Dukes will become full members of the American no later than July 1, 2028.
Seventeen of JMU's 18 sports will compete in the American. Field hockey stays in the MAC.
The Dukes made the College Football Playoff in 2025 after a fast climb through the Sun Belt.
JMU is 6-0 this season under Billy Napier, with a 46-11 record at the FBS level.
The American is a stronger league with better TV exposure and a clearer playoff path.
JMU's entry fee is about $23 million. The Sun Belt exit fee is $5 million.
Fans can expect new rivalries with schools like Memphis, Tulane, and South Florida.
The Sun Belt still has 14 football-playing members and will now plan life without JMU.
Tap below for the full story: the vote, the fees, and what it means for both leagues.
Get the full breakdown, key numbers, and what happens next.
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