MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- San Diego State hasn't officially decided if it wants to return to the Mountain West, but the conference can't invite anyone else before dealing with the Aztecs.

As part of Boise State's contract to remain in the Mountain West, obtained by ESPN, MWC presidents must set the terms of SDSU's return and present an offer to the school before moving on to other schools. The "right of first option" in the contract lasts until Jan. 31, after which time the conference can attempt to invite other schools or stand pat with its current membership.

As part of the terms of the contract, the Mountain West also will pay up to $3 million of Boise State's exit fees from the Big East and Big West conferences.

It's not clear if the MWC even wants San Diego State back after its intended defection, with Boise State, to the Big East. A league source told ESPN Wednesday afternoon "right now the votes are not there for San Diego State."

The source said the Mountain West would prefer Brigham Young. The Big East also sought the Cougars, who left the MWC after the 2010 season to become an independent.

San Diego State and Boise State both formally withdrew from the Mountain West with plans to join the Big East as football-only members on July 1, 2013.