LAS VEGAS — The MAACO Bowl Las Vegas against Washington is supposed to be Boise State’s final game as a member of the Mountain West Conference.
It was part of the rationale the bowl game used in selecting the Broncos for the third consecutive year. With Boise State football headed to the Big East next fall, the bowl would not get another chance to take the Broncos and their traveling fan base.
Now the Broncos’ status, like so much in conference realignment, appears to be unsettled once again.
With the Big East still reeling from the defections of Rutgers, Louisville and seven basketball-playing Catholic schools, the Mountain West could be positioning itself to make a bid to retain Boise State.
CBSSports.com reported Friday night that the Mountain West and CBS have agreed to restructure the league’s television contract. While CBS would remain the primary rightsholder, the league would be allowed to sell secondary rights packages to other networks.
If the Mountain West can offer a similar television package to the Big East, which is in negotiations, then it could change Boise State’s decision, particularly with Big East holdovers Connecticut and Cincinnati openly lobbying to get out of the league.
Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel tweeted earlier Friday that three sources told him Boise State’s “departure from the Big East is inevitable.”
ESPN.com reported that Boise State is having discussions with the Mountain West.
Boise State President Bob Kustra, the school’s decision-maker on conference realignment, has pledged support to the Big East in the recent past. He was not available for comment Friday.
Brian Murphy: 377-6444
