The Hornets are moving to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in their jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision. So how does this impact former Kings star Mike Bibby? Here's a deep dive.
Sacramento State football's stunning Valentine's Day move got felt around the Kings too.
Not just as a community story, but this elevation also impacts one Sacramento King great in Mike Bibby.
To catch up, the Hornets filed paperwork back in 2025 to move into the Football Bowl Subdivision -- lifting them to a higher playing field. Rumblings swirled that the new Pac-12 would capitalize and add the Sacramento TV market (a top 20 market) by landing the Hornets. The Mountain West Conference also became linked as a possibility -- especially after losing Central Valley representative Fresno State for 2026.
However, Sacramento State pulled off a big stunner via ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel: The Mid-American Conference (MAC) will take in the Hornets.
This move comes with a price tag of between $18-$23 million per Thamel. Yet the transition to the MAC impacts Bibby too, but for this reason.
Sacramento State Basketball Moves too
Bibby, who starred for the Kings in the early 2000s and played with Kings head coach Doug Christie, will spend one more season leading his team in the Big Sky Conference.
Because effective 2026-27, his team moves too...but not in the MAC.
The Hornets will become the first-ever west coast MAC representative on the football field. But Bibby won't game-plan against rising national power Miami of Ohio or even Toledo.
Sacramento State basketball stays local in this moving scenario. This time the Big West will take in Bibby's team for 2026-27.
Here's what it also means for Bibby and company:
UC Davis rivalry reignites: The famed Causeway Cup series resumes as a conference game. The Aggies first moved to the Big West Conference in 2007.
Sacramento State always operated in the Big Sky starting in 1996 for basketball. But now the Hornets' last day in the Big Sky is set for July 1, 2026 in the football move.
Other Cal State Universities loom: The Big West expands on the CSU front by adding the Hornets.
Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Northridge already represent the Big West. Sacramento State becomes the fifth from the CSU system to join.
Can Move Benefit Bibby?
This also becomes a higher playing field for Bibby down the road.
His team already stands at 9-16 overall. Yet moving to the Big West can have an impact on recruiting given the level of competition the conference provides. Bibby already has improved the NIL situation on campus including with old rival Shaquille O'Neal having an involvement there.
Bibby's team makes a huge move in the shadow of the Kings.
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