James Madison Joins the American Before Sun Belt Exit Fees Rise

The Dukes’ move gets out in front of a pending vote on higher exit fees from the Sun Belt. After the American recently said that it wasn’t actively seeking new members , the conference has added a new program. On Monday, James Madison announced that it will be leaving the Sun Belt to join the American as a full league member no later than July 1, 2028. One of the primary reasons James Madison is leaving this week is because the Sun Belt is attempting to raise its exit fees for departing programs, according to ESPN .