Brian Murphy
bmurphy@idahostatesman.com

UPDATED 1:09 p.m. — Just got off the phone with Preston Minter, who will be an invited walk-on at Boise State this fall. If the name seems familiar, it's because Preston's dad is Cedric Minter — the Broncos' all-time leading rusher, a two-time All-American and one of the leaders of the 1980 Division I-AA national championship team.

Preston, who attended Timberline High, said his dad's legacy is one of the main reasons he chose Boise State and told schools such as Weber State that he wasn't interested. Preston said he had no other official offers, but made it clear early that he wanted to be a Bronco.

"I was kind of close minded in the process," Preston said. "I've grown up watching games on the blue. I love it. I'm glad I have a role model like (my dad). I'm not comparing myself to him, but it's always nice to see him on the mural in the locker room. It gives me some of that extra inspiration."

Preston Minter said the coaching staff has told him he'll get a crack at slot receiver, running back and return man — sort of a Vinny Perretta-type. At 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, Minter said he'd like to add a few inches before arriving on the blue.

Boise State historian Tom Scott has more on the story.

Of naming rights and television talks

Boise State released details of its potential 10-year, $33.8 million agreement with Learfield Sports to be the exclusive media and sponsorship-selling arm of Bronco athletics on Wednesday afternoon.

Among the most interesting parts of the deal (at least from my perspective) are these:

— Selling the naming rights for Bronco Stadium

Boise State officials have not been against selling the naming rights to the football stadium in the past, but the school has not found the right match. You can bet Learfield Sports will have someone dedicated to finding that right match given the size and scope of the agreement.

It’s hard to be too much of a purist on this topic considering the naming bonanza that has taken place around the country, including right across the parking lot from the football stadium. After all, Taco Bell Arena houses the Bronco basketball teams.

But Bronco Stadium has a nice ring to it. Sure, it’s not quite Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field, Fenway Park or Dodger Stadium, but it sounds better than American Airlines Arena or Papa John’s Stadium.

What do you think? Would you be willing to sell the naming rights to Bronco Stadium?

Others are already weighing in on this topic.

— Using money from the deal to expand/replace the video boards and/or scoreboards at Bronco Stadium and Taco Bell Arena.

The deal includes a $1 million capital stipend for Boise State. It will probably go to a video board that will a.) enhance the fan experience and b.) include more spaces for advertising.

Never forget this entire deal is about the money. Everything else is a bonus.

The video board at Bronco Stadium gets a lot of complaints, I know.

But Boise State faces some obstacles in expanding the scoreboard at the North end of Bronco Stadium. Fans in seats on the lower deck might not be able to see the top of the scoreboard if it were taller, so the Broncos have to look at alternatives, such as making it wider or high-definition.

I can hear the cheering now. Yes, make it wider and make it high-def.

No TV for some home games?

As part of the agreement, Learfield Sports will be responsible for selling the broadcast rights to Boise State games. But since the agreement doesn’t begin until July 2010, the Broncos are responsible for the radio and television deals this year.

Radio is no problem. KIDO will broadcast the games as it did last year as part of an existing contract.

Television, however, is a problem. Or more accurately, could be a problem. Boise State’s agreement with KTVB expired at the end of the 2008-09 school year, meaning there is no local broadcast deal for the seven games not currently picked up by ESPN.

Boise State officials will meet with KTVB this week to discuss the situation and their first priority is getting the two remaining road games (at Bowling Green and at Hawaii) televised in the Boise market.

The home games aren’t as big of a priority for Boise State. Those are games with Miami (OH), UC Davis, San Jose State, Idaho and New Mexico State. (It is uncertain what this means for basketball games.)

What are your thoughts? Would you be disappointed if you couldn’t watch the Broncos on television?

New football uniforms on Monday

BroncoSports.com says so.

Other links

• Oregon is dealing with a spate of transfers, but Register-Guard columnist George Schroeder says it is not coach Chip Kelly’s fault and that transfers are just a part of college football.

• A look at Oregon’s new two-deep depth chart and what the transfers mean on the field.

• If you’re into that sort of thing, you can follow me on Twitter.