Boise State’s stay in the Mountain West will last two seasons after all.
The school announced Wednesday that it would remain in the conference through the 2012-13 season, ending discussions with the Big East and Western Athletic Conference about joining those leagues a year before the Broncos’ scheduled arrival.
“The university feels there were too many obstacles to overcome to make the move at this time,” Boise State President Bob Kustra said in a statement released by the school. “While there certainly would have been advantages in making the move a year early, it became clear that it would not be fiscally responsible, as all of the expenses associated with early entry into the two conferences would not be covered.”
It likely would have cost Boise State between $7.5 million and $9 million to leave the Mountain West this fall plus more including an early entry fee to join the WAC. Specific figures have been tough to pin down even for school officials, and Athletic Director Mark Coyle said the exact amount “changes by the minute.”
“It’s a complex, shifting landscape,” Coyle told the Idaho Statesman last week.
Kustra and Coyle declined comment Wednesday. Kustra told the Statesman on Feb. 3 that “it’s too late” for the Broncos to make a move this year.
“I can’t imagine how anyone can pull that off,” Kustra said earlier this month.
The Big East was interested in having Boise State replace West Virginia, which negotiated a settlement with the Big East to leave for the Big 12 this fall. West Virginia’s departure leaves the conference with just seven football-playing members in 2012 — and a massive scheduling problem.
The Big East reportedly will receive $20 million as a result of West Virginia’s departure, but it is not clear how much of that money the league was willing to give Boise State. Coyle said last week that the school needed to cover its expenses before it made any move.
“If a transition takes place now, there are expenses that we need to cover before we make a move,” Coyle said.
With Boise State out of the discussion, the Big East reportedly has turned its attention to Temple to replace West Virginia in 2012. The New York Times and CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that the league is nearing an agreement with Temple, a former Big East football member that currently plays in the Mid-American Conference (football) and the Atlantic 10 (for other sports).
The addition of Temple would give the ever-expanding Big East 14 football-playing members in 2013, Boise State’s first year in the league. Pittsburgh and Syracuse, however, have accepted invitations to the Atlantic Coast Conference and could depart before Boise State arrives. Even if those two schools depart, Temple’s addition would allow the conference to split into two divisions and hold a conference title game in 2013.
Navy is slated to enter the Big East as a football-only school in 2015.
The Mountain West will have 10 football teams in 2012 — Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, San Diego State, UNLV and Wyoming.
Boise State will host Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and UNLV at Bronco Stadium. The Broncos will visit Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming. They do not play Air Force in 2012.
Brian Murphy: 377-6444
