TV deal could sway defectors

Boise State will remain in the Mountain West Conference for another year after toying with the idea of paying a $9 million exit fee and leaving this year for the Big East Conference.

The Big East, which needs another team for next football season to replace West Virginia, reportedly is in talks with Temple to join in all sports this year.

Temple should take a close look -- and Boise State and San Diego State should keep their options open, even though they agreed to send their football programs to the Big East in 2013. That conference touted automatic Bowl Championship Series status and loads of television money to lure those schools from the Mountain West and others from Conference USA.

But who believes the Big East will retain automatic BCS status after 2013? And don't expect TV executives to fall on their knees to show San Diego State at Connecticut.

The Mountain West and C-USA will announce a TV package in the coming months, and it will be interesting to see if it's attractive enough to cause the defecting schools to think twice.

Also, Boise State athletic director Mark Coyle told the Idaho Statesman he wants his nonfootball sports in a conference with stability. Well, the Western Athletic Conference ain't it.

Boise State and San Diego State made shortsighted decisions to leave that had little or no regard for their programs outside the football offices.

They deserve whatever they get, but also know either gladly would be welcomed back. It might have seemed over when both announced they were leaving, but the clock was just beginning to tick.

■ A REASON TO ADD A VEGAS STOP -- As if seeing Natalie Gulbis dressed in nothing but body paint isn't enough, now a fan will have the chance to walk next to her for an LPGA Tour round.

Gulbis, who makes her home in Las Vegas, will put the position of caddie up for bid Saturday, and anyone willing to pay $8,000 bypasses the bidding process and wins the prize.

The winner gets to choose the tournament, which can't be a major and must be in the U.S. Too bad Las Vegas is no longer a Tour stop.

Gulbis will donate the money to a private school in North Carolina, with the funds at least partially going to scholarships.

Davis Love III also is offering a caddie position for $8,000 in the Wells Fargo Championship pro-am on May 2, but thankfully there is no word he will follow Gulbis' lead and appear in body paint in Sports Illustrated's next swimsuit edition.

If Gulbis hoped to drive up the asking price to be her caddie, those photos should do it. Or so that's what we at Leftovers have heard. Uh, yes, heard.

■ JIMMERED IN SAC-TOWN -- Sacramento Kings interim coach Keith Smart played for Bob Knight at Indiana, so he shouldn't be worried about a little heat from Jimmer Fredette's brother.

T.J. Fredette wasn't happy Fredette didn't play Tuesday against Miami, tweeting, "can we please get rid of this interim coach who should be an assistant at best and bring in a real head coach."

Maybe Fredette needs to shoot better than 37 percent. Not quite the sharpshooter he was at Brigham Young.

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL