BOISE -- The Boise State football team is joining the Big East Conference.
The football-only membership in the conference will begin July 1, 2013.
The Broncos join four other schools as new members in the conference: San Diego State University, University of Houston, Southern Methodist University and the University of Central Florida.
The inclusion of these five great universities, which bring a unique blend of premier academics, top markets, strong athletic brands and outstanding competitive quality, marks the beginning of a new chapter in that evolution, said Big East Commissioner John Marinatto in a written statement.
During the teleconference, Boise State President Dr. Bob Kustra said the school is proud to part of the new conference, We are very excited about joining the Big East and partnering with some of the finest universities across the nation.
Growing our football program is something that we are always working on, and joining the Big East Conference will help us do just that, Bronco head coach Chris Petersen agreed. We will be facing outstanding competition from around the country and it will expand our national brand into new regions. Our fans will get to see new and exciting teams visit Bronco Stadium and it also will allow them to travel to new destinations. This move is going to be great for our program.
The majority of Boise State's other athletic programs will compete in the Western Athletic Conference beginning July 1, 2013.
The BSU wrestling team will continue to compete in the PAC-12 Conference.
Joining Big East means more TV money for BSU
Besides a better chance at a BCS Bowl, and better overall competition, there's plenty of other perks that come with the Boise State football team's move to the Big East -- like more revenue from a better TV deal.
It is amateur athletics, but the fact is, money is driving Boise State's move to the Big East.
A more lucrative TV deal, set to be negotiated next year, to go into effect after 2013, is at the center of the potentially bigger bottom line for the Broncos.
Right now, the Broncos get about $1.5 million a year in TV money from the Mountain West.
It's hard to say exactly how much they'd get from the new Big East.
But the San Diego Union Tribune reports San Diego State estimates they'd get at least $6.4 million per year -- or four times as much as they get now.
That's the low estimate for each school!
Why would Boise State and the new Big East command TV dollars like that?
Besides the nationwide marketability of teams like Boise State.
The market-sizes of the teams in the conference are huge -- market size being a rank of how many people are in the local television area.
The conference already has the number-one TV market, along with the number-13, and three other top 50s.
They now add two top 10s, a top 20, a top 30... and Boise, which is at 112, but the distribution of cash should be even, regardless of market-size.
Millions more a year, just from TV rights, will allow the Broncos to grow their program much quicker.
The Broncos' bottom line will also be helped by more money from the BCS annually, increased merchandising, and bigger bowl payouts.
