BOISE -- It is the biggest annual sporting event in Idaho -- the Boise State versus Idaho football game.
And this year, there will be a nationwide audience for the matchup, but there won't be a statewide one.
The decision came down today that ESPNU will broadcast the Boise State-Idaho game on Nov. 14, and it won't be shown here on 7 Sports, as originally scheduled.
KTVB President and GM Doug Armstrong issued this statement:
“The Idaho / Boise State game is a huge rivalry and should be available to all Idahoans. Unfortunately ESPNU reaches only 40% of television homes, and the WAC television contract gives ESPN the right to take this game. We told ESPN that we would air the ESPNU version on KTVB for free, and we even offered to produce it for ESPN free of charge. We’ve done everything we can.”
Boise State was not involved in this decision. It was an option in the current agreement between the WAC and ESPN for the network to pick up one more game. They just had to give the school 12 days notice.
The upside is obvious. It's an ESPN network seen in 55 million households across the nation, and national exposure has been key to growing the Bronco program over the past decade, and this is great for an up-and-coming Idaho Vandal program.
The downside is that an estimated 40 to 45 percent of households, just in the Boise market, don't get ESPNU. That number is probably bigger statewide, and all those people, for the first time in three decades, won't be able to watch the biggest rivalry in the state.
It's a fact not lost on BSU athletic director Gene Bleymaier.
"Obviously, the exposure is very beneficial. Unfortunately, it will exclude some homes locally. Which is unfortunate with this game, because that hasn't been the case in the past. But hopefully, people can make arrangements to go somewhere where they can see the game. And, or buy up the last few remaining tickets that we have," said Bleymaier.
Kickoff of the game has also been moved to 1:30 p.m.
There is an another bright spot for Bronco fans. Bleymaier said this move to ESPNU might increase the possibility that ESPN gameday comes to Boise for the Idaho game. But there are numerous schools still in the running for that.
Comments have been turned off for this article.