Mountain West’s TV deal could lure back Boise State

Boise State was thought to be making its final appearance in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, but today might not be the last time this city sees the Broncos.

Various reports state the Broncos are considering staying in the Mountain West, and a new TV deal might give the conference enough ammunition to deter Boise State - and perhaps San Diego State - from taking its football team to the Big East Conference.

"We're really in a good place right now," UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood said Friday night.

Boise State and San Diego State are scheduled to leave next year, but the Mountain West has reworked its TV contract with CBS, according to CBSSports.com.

CBS retains top priority in televising games, but will allow the conference to sell some games to other networks and the Mountain West to receive additional revenue. CBS pays the Mountain West $12 million per season, and the deal lasts through the 2015-16 academic year.

Increased TV revenue could lure back Boise State, particularly since the Big East still hasn't settled on a deal, and much uncertainty surrounds a conference wounded deeply by mass defections.

CBSSports.com, ESPN.com and SI.com reported Boise State might be rethinking leaving the Mountain West. CBSSports.com said president Robert Kustra could even make an announcement at today's bowl game.

"It's not a matter of if, but when," an unnamed source told SI.com. "I would be shocked if it didn't happen."

San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk has been determined to bolt and even called a news conference a month ago to reiterate the Aztecs' commitment to the Big East. But if Boise State stays and the Mountain West holds together - as indications are it will - San Diego State might not have much of a choice without a fellow Western partner.