West Virginia is making a striking move ahead of the 2026‑27 season: the Mountaineers will add 140 new athletic scholarships, boosting their total from 260 to 400 across all varsity sports. The breakdown includes 16 additional football scholarships and 124 scholarships dedicated to Olympic sports.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel was first to report the news, saying, “This move is a by-product of the Board of Governors plan. The total number of scholarships at WVU will increase from 260 to 400 across its 18 sports. The move is viewed as a significant commitment from the BOG, President Michael T. Benson, and AD Wren Baker.”
The push stems from the WVU Board of Governors’ unanimous September vote, which directed the athletic department to pursue a financial model that positions WVU among the top‑funded schools in the Big 12. President Michael T. Benson, Athletic Director Wren Baker, and the board all cited a dual mission: to elevate athletic competitiveness while preserving the university’s academic integrity.
For WVU, this is more than just numbers. Increasing scholarships in football provides immediate margin for recruiting and roster depth in a league where physicality and depth matter. Expanding support to Olympic sports signals a commitment to broad competitiveness; track and field, swimming, gymnastics, wrestling, and others will gain improved access to resources and recruiting leverage.
The timing matters, too. Under the House v. NCAA settlement, traditional scholarship caps are being replaced by roster size constraints, and how a program distributes scholarships can affect revenue share calculations. WVU is set to be at full revenue share in the coming cycle, making scholarship allocation a critical component of its financial and competitive strategy.
In a Big 12 where investing in coaching, facilities, and recruiting is table stakes, WVU’s move sends a powerful message: the Mountaineers intend to compete, not just survive. With this level of resource recommitment, the landscape in Morgantown is shifting, with faster recruiting cycles, deeper rosters, and the hope that the impact shows up on the field and in the standings.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!