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Could Boise State backtrack on its decision to join the Big East conference?
It appears to be a real possibility. According to CBSSports.com, Boise State has yet to formally notify the Mountain West Conference that it plans to join the Big East in 2013. The Big East’s other new members that will begin play in 2013—San Diego State, Houston, SMU, UCF and Memphis—have all let their respective conferences know they’ll be leaving for the Big East.
Boise State may be considering staying in the Mountain West, meaning Chris Petersen and the Broncos' football team may not be joining the Big East after all. (AP Photo)
By not officially submitting its paperwork, Boise State has left the door ajar and sources have told CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy that Boise has had conversations with the MWC about remaining where it is.
A Boise State spokesman came well short of a Big East commitment when asked about the program’s future home: “We are actively monitoring the changing landscape in college athletics and remain committed to making the best long-term decisions for Boise State.”
The Broncos are under contract with the Big East and would have to pay a $5 million exit fee were they to leave before July 1, 2013. Anytime after that date, Boise would owe the Big East a $10 million exit fee and would have to provide 27 months notice to leave.
Boise State could well be seeking help from the MWC with that $5 million exit fee.
Numerous issues could prompt Boise State to reconsider.
— Big East commissioner John Marinatto and the league just parted ways.
— The BCS postseason model is being reconstructed and the title automatic qualifying conferences will no longer exist. That means the Big East, which has struggled in the race for championships with deeper conferences, could be at a competitive disadvantage.
— The MWC is expanding, with Utah State and San Jose State announced as the newest members.
— Boise State wanted to house its non-football sports in the Western Athletic Conference. The WAC, however, is taking a hard fall with defections, leaving the entire league—football and otherwise—in jeopardy.
— It isn’t clear how much bargaining power the Big East will have when it's time to renegotiate its television rights deal in September.
It appears to be a real possibility. According to CBSSports.com, Boise State has yet to formally notify the Mountain West Conference that it plans to join the Big East in 2013. The Big East’s other new members that will begin play in 2013—San Diego State, Houston, SMU, UCF and Memphis—have all let their respective conferences know they’ll be leaving for the Big East.
Boise State may be considering staying in the Mountain West, meaning Chris Petersen and the Broncos' football team may not be joining the Big East after all. (AP Photo)
By not officially submitting its paperwork, Boise State has left the door ajar and sources have told CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy that Boise has had conversations with the MWC about remaining where it is.
A Boise State spokesman came well short of a Big East commitment when asked about the program’s future home: “We are actively monitoring the changing landscape in college athletics and remain committed to making the best long-term decisions for Boise State.”
The Broncos are under contract with the Big East and would have to pay a $5 million exit fee were they to leave before July 1, 2013. Anytime after that date, Boise would owe the Big East a $10 million exit fee and would have to provide 27 months notice to leave.
Boise State could well be seeking help from the MWC with that $5 million exit fee.
Numerous issues could prompt Boise State to reconsider.
— Big East commissioner John Marinatto and the league just parted ways.
— The BCS postseason model is being reconstructed and the title automatic qualifying conferences will no longer exist. That means the Big East, which has struggled in the race for championships with deeper conferences, could be at a competitive disadvantage.
— The MWC is expanding, with Utah State and San Jose State announced as the newest members.
— Boise State wanted to house its non-football sports in the Western Athletic Conference. The WAC, however, is taking a hard fall with defections, leaving the entire league—football and otherwise—in jeopardy.
— It isn’t clear how much bargaining power the Big East will have when it's time to renegotiate its television rights deal in September.
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