James Madison Joins American: What the Move Means for the Dukes
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James Madison will join the American Conference no later than July 1, 2028, the university announced Monday morning.
JMU’s departure from the Sun Belt follows reporting from multiple outlets last month that the Dukes were among the programs that reached out to the American in hopes of joining the conference. Just a few weeks later, James Madison is set to become the 15th football-playing member of the American — potentially as soon as next season.
The Dukes have dominated the Sun Belt since they transitioned from the FCS in 2022. JMU made the College Football Playoff in 2025 and is 46-11 at the FBS level. Only Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Notre Dame have better winning percentages during that stretch.
“We are grateful to the CEOs and commissioner Tim Pernetti for this invitation to join the American, and we are bullish about our future path as conference members,” JMU athletic director Matt Roan said in a statement. “I also want to thank the Sun Belt Conference and fellow athletics directors for their collaboration through competition over the last few years.”
ESPN reports the Dukes’ entry fee will be around $23 million and the exit fee will be $5 million. JMU shared in its release that the entry fee will be covered by corporate sponsors and the exit fee funded by private funding. If the Dukes leaves next season instead of in 2028, their exit fee could increase.
The American is better positioned financially than the Sun Belt and home to more consistently competitive programs. James Madison also stands to take in a considerably larger payout from its media deal after the move.
The Dukes are the first program to move to the American since Army in 2024. Texas State departed the Sun Belt for the Pac-12 this season, but the conference backfilled with the addition of Louisiana Tech. Given that the Sun Belt is the last remaining FBS conference with divisions, a replacement for the defending champions is needed to keep membership at 14.
Built to Rise!
Excited to announce we have formally applied to and been accepted to join the @American_Conf as a full league member no later than July 1, 2028.
📰 | https://t.co/6AEyZ8IzNc
ℹ️ | https://t.co/EHFqFyNKLD#GoDukespic.twitter.com/EgtoIKqTIR— James Madison Athletics (@JMUSports) October 12, 2026
“The American Conference is the right home for James Madison University, academically, competitively, and geographically,” JMU board of visitors chair Dave Rexrode said in a statement. “This conference is where our academic peers compete, they have a shared vision for the future, it’s where our alumni live and work, and where our student-athletes will thrive.”
The American stretches from San Antonio to West Point, New York. JMU’s closest opponent in its new conference will be Navy, which is about a three-hour drive.
James Madison has become the model for programs transitioning from the FCS to the FBS. The Dukes went 8-3 in their FBS debut under coach Curt Cignetti, but they were not immediately postseason eligible. JMU earned a bowl invitation the following season and hosted ESPN’s “College GameDay” on campus, drawing a record crowd to Harrisonburg, Virginia.
After Cignetti left for Indiana, new coach Bob Chesney built on the foundation he set. The Dukes won 12 games in 2025 and made the CFP as champions of the Sun Belt. Chesney’s success earned him a job at UCLA. JMU responded by hiring former Florida coach Billy Napier.
The Dukes stand atop the Sun Belt standings at 6-0 in Napier’s first season. James Madison is on the cusp of a spot in the AP Top 25, but a dearth of high-quality opponents could hurt its case for another trip to the playoff if it were to run the table and win the conference championship again.
“I think that it’s a historic day for JMU, obviously a very exciting day,” Napier said in a press conference on Monday. “Big step forward for the entire university community and all the things that come with making that move.”
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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