BOISE, ID – Boise State University’s football program joins the Big East in 2013. That’s the official word from league and university officials Wednesday.
After weeks of speculation, Boise State University will join a football conference that spans four time zones. Money is a primary driver for the switch from the Mountain West to the Big East. Upcoming television contract negotiations will likely give each Big East team millions of dollars according to Boise State University President Bob Kustra.
Bob Kustra: “$6 million was always used as the floor and then going up to perhaps anywhere from $10-12 (million) depending on who’s at the table in September of 2012.”
Most of Boise State’s other sports programs will join the Western Athletic Conference. Other additions to the Big East in 2013 are Central Florida, Houston, San Diego State, and Southern Methodist University. Boise State and San Diego State will be football-only members.
Boise State joined the Mountain West conference this season. These teams expect to receive $1.2 million next year from television contracts.
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