After a brief hiccup, it sounds as though all systems are go for Boise State to the Big East.
CBSSports reports that Boise State reaffirmed to the Mountain West on Friday that it was indeed moving to the Big East. The Broncos reportedly wanted to make a decision this week because the Big East’s spring meetings begin this Sunday.
Signs that Boise State was having second thoughts about joining the Big East came to light last week, with the primary concerns being the following:
- Uncertainty about the Big East’s future membership and AQ status (AQ status will be eliminated in 2014).
- Securing a home for the school’s Olympic sports with the inevitable demise of the WAC. The Broncos reportedly wanted the Big East to help with that need, but San Diego State has instead offered a helping hand with the possibility of the Broncos joining the Big West in non-football sports. It’s important to note that BSU still doesn’t have a home for those sports.
- The possibility of the Big East’s new TV deal having a much, much lower payout than originally thought. The Big East reportedly turned down a television deal last year that would’ve paid all-sports conference members more than $14 million annually — just over $8 million annually for BSU and SDSU as football-only members — with the thought being the league could get even more in the future if it waited.
If Boise attends this year’s spring meetings, it would be a welcome sign and a huge relief for the Big East. Additionally, it may be the trigger that allows Pitt and Syracuse -- not that they needed a ton of help anyway -- to leave for the ACC in 2013. Pitt filed a lawsuit against the Big East last week.