The IDAHO STATESMAN noted the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and Idaho Potato Commission yesterday "agreed to a two-year extension." The IPC "will remain the title sponsor for the Boise-based bowl game" through the '18 season. The IPC "started its sponsorship with the bowl game" in '11 (IDAHOSTATESMAN.com, 8/10). The CAPITAL PRESS reported the original six-year contract, valued at $2.49M, expires after the '16 event. Financial terms of the new deal were not disclosed (CAPITALPRESS.com, 8/10).
EXTRA CREDIT: Appalachian State AD Doug Gillin, who took over April 6, said that the school's new seven-year deal with Nike "did not come about because of his negotiating skills." Gillin: "It was Nike realizing the impact of the Appalachian brand. The brand has changed, locally, regionally and nationally in a great direction. When you have the leader in athletic apparel in the country and in the world recognize Appalachian’s brand recognition and increased value of what we’re going here by five-times, that’s pretty cool." In North Carolina, Steve Behr noted ASU's deal with Nike "will bring in five times more revenue" than the previous deal. ASU’s licensing revenue also is now "bringing in a record amount" (WATAUGA DEMOCRAT, 8/9).
RISE UP: SI's Pete Thamel notes the recent success of football and women's basketball and the hiring of basketball coach Ben Howland "represent a zenith" for Mississippi State. The "influx of SEC revenue" -- $31.2M annually per school -- has spurred $135M in "new and updated athletic facilities over the last five years." The success also has "led to a perception overhaul, as the school witnessed a 17% rise in student applications and licensing royalties that jumped 60% last year alone" (SI, 8/10 issue).
