Boise State nixes Big East, stays in Mountain West
Boise State announced Monday that it will stay in the Mountain West Conference instead of joining the Big East in 2013.
"As I've stated many times, I have had the utmost trust that the university would make the right decision in what is best for Bronco football and all our sports at Boise State," football coach Chris Petersen said in the statement. "This innovative proposal to get football the maximum exposure on national television will be a tremendous boost to our program as we continue to grow the Bronco brand."
The Broncos planned to join the Big East in only football next year, but decided to stay in the MWC. The Mountain West includes Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State and Wyoming for 2013.
"The football programs in the Mountain West Conference continue to get stronger and we look forward to the challenge and competing in a strong league for many years to come," Peterson said.
Boise State's decision to stay in the MWC will affect its television contract, reportedly increasing it to more than $25 million. The conference and CBS agreed to restructure their deal last week. It allows the Mountain West to sell packages to two other networks.
"Maintaining the Broncos program as part of the already solid foundation we have established creates a posture of great stability for the Mountain West going forward," commissioner Craig Thompson said in the statement. "It also enhances the conference's competitive and marketplace platforms, positioning us favorably in the evolving FBS landscape."
Boise State still has to pay the Big East a $5 million exit. The Mountain West agreed to pay part of the fee.
Fourteen schools have announced they are leaving the Big East in the past two years.
San Diego State, which also planned to join the Big East next year, may also back out and return to the MWC.
