James Madison will leave the Sun Belt and join the American Conference, the school and the conference announced Oct. 12.
The move will happen "no later than July 1, 2028," according to the announcements.
"James Madison’s membership reflects a meaningful investment in the American and has been structured to protect and enhance the value of the conference’s current membership," American commissioner Tim Pernetti said in a statement. "The additional media inventory associated with JMU’s membership expands the conference’s existing media platform, while current members’ distributions will be enhanced. JMU has also made a significant financial and commercial commitment to joining the American and investing alongside its members."
The Dukes have been
part of the Sun Belt since 2022, when they transitioned from the FCS to FBS levels. They've had tremendous success in football under Curt Cignetti, Bob Chesney and now with Billy Napier. That success included a College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. James Madison is 6-0 so far this season.
James Madison's move comes just weeks after multiple reports that they had attempted to join the conference alongside Miami (Ohio) and UConn. Those reports were disputed by UConn athletic director David Benedict, and the conference said in a statement at the time that it was not "proactively seeking additional members."
The American, which Memphis is a member of, has not made major membership changes since it added Army as a football-only school ahead of the 2024 season.
James Madison is already an affiliate member of the American for women's lacrosse and women's swimming and diving.
"The American is home to member institutions who share our ambitious academic goals and our unwavering commitment to student success," JMU president James Schmidt said in a statement. "Our student-athletes will compete in cities where JMU alumni are already rooted and future Dukes will fill the stands. With this move, we carry deep appreciation for the Sun Belt Conference and its member institutions. Their partnership helped position JMU for this moment, and we are proud of everything we built together."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: American Conference adds James Madison as realignment wheels continue spinning
