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Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier held a wide-ranging press conference Thursday. "As this economy turns as negatively as it has, it's going to have a hand in everything that we do," he said.
The highlights:
® BSU has agreed to a seven- to 10-year contract with Learfield Sports that will pay the school more than $2 million per year. On July 1, 2010, Learfield takes over TV, radio and sponsorship rights.
® Football season tickets will increase about 17 percent on average this season. Plus, fans in more sections will be required to purchase memberships to the Bronco Athletic Association.
® Bleymaier has asked his coaches to submit budgets for fiscal year 2010 with 3, 6 and 9 percent cuts. He called the 3 percent cut "a real possibility."
® The athletic department has lost almost $500,000 in revenue for next year because of cuts by the university and reduced income from endowments. Plus, the cost of scholarships has doubled since 2001.
® Bleymaier expects the football opener against Oregon to be played Thursday, Sept. 3, or Friday, Sept. 4, on ESPN.
® BSU hopes to add from 1,000 to 1,450 seats in the south end zone this season by expanding the bleachers.
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