The Mountain West has reached an agreement with ESPN to be a national television rights holder for conference-controlled football and men’s basketball games.  ESPN will broadcast 22 Mountain West football games next year, including all six of Boise State’s home games, plus 31 men’s basketball games.  CBS Sports Network is still the primary rights holder for the Mountain West and will select the first eight football games to be broadcast, with the exception of Boise State home games.  Then ESPN and CBS Sports Network will alternate selections.  CBS Sports Network retains the rights to all Boise State roads games.

Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson said they had to make a few concessions to reach the deal with ESPN, but it was something that the Mountain West members said they were willing to do.

In all up to 44 football and 56 men’s basketball games will be televised on their various platforms.  The Mountain West is in the process of negotiating an agreement for the first conference championship game with CBS Sports Network.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.