Broncos Launch Business Development and Revenue Innovation Unit – Boise State University

BOISE, Idaho – Boise State Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey announced the creation of a business development and revenue innovation unit within the athletics department, Tuesday. 

The unit, responsible for the pursuit, execution and management of emerging revenue opportunities, as well as enhancing existing revenue streams by implementing tech-forward and ROI-driven strategies, will be led by Mike Walsh, who was elevated to associate athletic director and will be a member of the department’s senior staff.

“Boise State has been recognized as one of the top 50 most innovative universities in the country, and our department aspires to embrace and build on that by becoming one of the most innovative departments in all of collegiate athletics,” Dickey said. “When you combine a blue-collar work ethic with these types of forward-thinking concepts, the sky is the limit as we continue to push and best position Bronco Athletics for the future.

“I am excited to see the impact this space will have on Bronco Athletics as we look to enhance opportunities and experiences for our department, fans, and student-athletes.”

The formation of the new unit touches on all four key areas of the What’s Next Initiative: revenue generation; infrastructure; marketability; and student-athlete experience.

A priority of the business development and revenue innovation unit will be the creation of a best-in-class name, image and likeness program for Bronco student-athletes and area businesses.

Walsh is in his 10th year with Boise State Athletics, spanning two tenures. The past two years Walsh served as the assistant athletic director for communications, managing the day-to-day operations of the communications staff, serving as the primary contact for Boise State men’s basketball and assisting with communications needs for the Bronco Athletic Association. During his first seven years in Boise, Walsh worked in the communications office, ascending from graduate assistant to assistant director to associate director, spending his final four years working directly with the men’s basketball program.

Between stints with the Broncos, Walsh spent two years at Idaho, starting as the assistant athletic director for communications before taking on the role of associate athletic director for communications, marketing and tickets. During his second year in Moscow, Walsh was a member of the department’s senior staff and led the areas of media relations, marketing, tickets and video. He also directed all publicity efforts for the Vandals, including public relations, advertising, website, social media and email marketing.

Following Walsh’s transition to the new unit, Craig Lawson has been promoted to the director of athletic media relations. Lawson will oversee the day-to-day functions of the Athletic Media Relations Office, working with each athletic media relations contact on how to best position Boise State programs publicly and best tell the stories of its student-athletes, coaches and staff.