CSU, Boise State on opposite ends of Mountain West TV money

CSU was among three teams with a Mountain West Conference-worst TV bonus payout from ESPN.

CSU New Mexico and San Jose State received $80,000 each this season. Boise State led the Mountain West by taking home $1.6 million in bonuses for playing nationally-televised football games on ESPN this season.

Based on the current Mountain West TV contract that runs through 2019-2020, schools that play a conference-controlled game on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 receive a $300,000 bonus for appearing on a weeknight or $500,000 for Saturday games.

Prior to the start of the 2015 season, the Mountain West adjusted its bonus structure as it relates to Boise State. Because a minimum of three Broncos home games are required to be aired on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 per season, league officials felt the system favored teams in the Mountain Division that play at Albertson’s Stadium every other year versus those in the West Division that travel to Boise, Idaho, once every four years.

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Instead of a team taking the normal payout for playing a nationally-televised game against Boise State, the money Broncos’ opponents would normally receive is pooled and distributed evenly to the 10 other Mountain West programs (Hawaii is not eligible for TV bonus money).

This year, Boise State hosted a Saturday game against Wyoming and a Friday game versus Air Force that were aired on ESPN2, meaning the 10 teams were awarded $80,000 in addition to what they earned on their own.

Colorado State University, New Mexico and San Jose State were the three league teams to not play a nationally-televised game that prompts a bonus.

MW Football TV Bonus Payouts:

Boise State : $1.6 million

: $1.6 million Nevada : $880,000

: $880,000 San Diego State : $880,000

: $880,000 Wyoming : $880,000

: $880,000 Fresno State : $680,000

: $680,000 Utah State : $680,000

: $680,000 Air Force : $580,000

: $580,000 UNLV : $380,000

: $380,000 CSU : $80,000

: $80,000 New Mexico : $80,000

: $80,000 San Jose State: $80,000

For insight and analysis on athletics around Northern Colorado and the Mountain West, follow sports columnist Matt L. Stephens at twitter.com/mattstephens and facebook.com/stephensreporting.