When Pac-12 Commissioner Teressa Gould began looking at schools to add to a rebuilt Pac-12, Boise State was an obvious candidate. The Broncos have the athletic success, fan support, facilities, and national brand recognition that make them a perfect addition to the Pac-12.
Boise State has built a strong athletic department year by year and is ready to take the next step in the program’s future. The Broncos come into the Pac-12 expecting to compete for championships right away. Let’s take a closer
look at how they fit in the Pac-12.
Coaches’ Salaries
Boise State joins the Pac-12 near the top of the conference when it comes to head coaching salaries. Head football coach Spencer Danielson is set to make $2.1 million in 2026, making him the second-highest-paid head coach in the Pac-12. Head basketball coach Leon Rice will be the fourth-highest-paid basketball coach, as he is scheduled to make $1.1 million in 2026.
Boise State being in the top half of coaching salaries should come as no surprise. Boise State Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey and the entire athletic department are committed to competing at the top of the conference. After years of success at the top of the Mountain West, Boise State has every reason to believe that it is poised to compete at the top of the Pac-12.
Stadium Capacity
Albertsons Stadium has a seating capacity of 36,363, giving it the third-largest capacity in the Pac-12.
Over the last several years, Boise State has consistently sold out all of its home games. The Broncos saw a 14-game home sellout streak snapped in the 2025 Mountain West Championship game.
Albertsons Stadium will likely be one of the toughest places to play in the conference, and it should be a fantastic addition to the Pac-12 after-dark slate.
Social Media Presence
Social media follower counts can give us a brief glimpse into a school’s popularity and national brand power. Boise State football’s social media presence is strong. Boise State has more than 80,000 more combined followers than WSU on the football side of things.
Using the combined follower totals from each program’s X and Instagram accounts, here’s how Boise State compares to Washington State:
Boise State Athletics: 168,300 combined followers. WSU Athletics: 134,800 combined followers.
Boise State FB: 323,500 combined followers. WSU FB: 242,300 combined followers.
Boise State MBB: 43,500 combined followers. WSU MBB: 56,200 combined followers.
Boise State WBB: 13,000 combined followers. WSU WBB: 22,000 combined followers.
Athletic Department Success
Football: The Broncos have won three straight Mountain West championships since 2023 and made the College Football Playoff in 2024. Boise State enters the Pac-12 as one of the most storied football programs.
MBB: The men’s basketball program has made the NCAA Tournament three times since 2022 and won the Mountain West Tournament in 2022.
Location
Boise, Idaho, is the capital of Idaho and is the largest city in the state. The Boise metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing areas in the entire United States. The Boise metro area is estimated to have a population of more than 800,000, giving Boise State a large number of potential fans within a short distance of the campus.
Boise State is the only FBS school in the state of Idaho, giving the Pac-12 a real chance to grow with the Boise State brand in a rapidly growing Western market.
Why Boise State Was Added to the Pac-12
Boise State’s national brand, location, and athletic investment made Boise State one of the most intriguing schools for the Pac-12 to target as part of its rebuild. The Broncos bring a successful football program, a growing fan base, competitive basketball, national brand recognition, and a growing market in the Treasure Valley.
Boise State has also shown a willingness to invest in its athletic department and compete at a high level. While there will be challenges that come with moving to a new conference, the Broncos appear ready for the next step. Boise State has a chance to become one of the conference’s premier programs.
