More Coverage
For the first time under the Mountain West’s revamped national TV bonus structure, UNLV is in line to get paid.
The league today announced its slate of weekday games that will appear on national TV. It includes the Rebels’ game at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Fresno State on ESPN2. That game will net both the Rebels and Bulldogs $300,000 under the bonus system the league agreed to two years ago.
The system pays $500,000 for weekend and $300,000 for weekday league-controlled games that appear on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. In the past two seasons, UNLV hasn’t played a home game or a road conference game on any of those networks, meaning the Rebels have missed out on millions that would have been theirs if the league still distributed money evenly.
The Mountain West went from even distribution to the current structure during negotiations to keep Boise State and San Diego State in the league. The Broncos’ threat to leave for the Big East netted them many perks from the league office, including a guaranteed $900,000 from the bonuses. No other team in the league is guaranteed anything.
Over the past two years, Boise State has led the league in bonuses, bringing in $3.7 million. UNR has made $800,000.
UNLV is the only full member — Hawaii is ineligible as a football-only institution — not to receive anything during that span. This year, the Rebels know they won’t get shut out, and there’s an opportunity to gain even more as the rest of the national TV schedule is put together.
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy