Boise State Athletics Announces Bronco Athletics Growth Solutions (BAGS)
6/24/2025 8:45:00 AM | General, Bronco Athletic Association
New entity will drive nontraditional revenue and support long-term strategic growth amid shifting collegiate landscape
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State Athletics, in partnership with the Boise State University Foundation, has officially launched Bronco Athletics Growth Solutions (BAGS), a strategic and entrepreneurial initiative designed to evaluate and accelerate nontraditional revenue opportunities supporting the comprehensive growth and sustainability of Bronco Athletics.
Formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boise State University Foundation, BAGS will pursue revenue-based partnerships, capital investment opportunities, and innovative financial models. The initiative is a direct response to the continued evolution of college athletics and aims to position Boise State as a national leader in creative problem-solving and resource generation.
"We're grateful for Boise State University Foundation CEO Argia Beristain and BAGS President Kevin McDonald for supporting this new venture and helping us take this bold next step," said Jeramiah Dickey, Boise State Director of Athletics. "We have to continue to be creative in light of the new changes to the college athletics industry, and BAGS gives us a path to unlock What's Next."
"Everything we do at the Foundation is to support Boise State, and BAGS represents the type of innovation we're proud to support," said Argia Beristain, CEO of the Boise State University Foundation. "This initiative provides flexibility, ensures Boise State Athletics remains nationally competitive and allows us to keep our strategic focus on student success."
BAGS will play a pivotal role in identifying and evaluating a wide range of emerging opportunities, including private capital and credit structures, mixed-use development concepts, and revenue-based financial models, that can support the growing need for NIL resources, facility upgrades, and enhanced student-athlete experiences. By thinking beyond the limitations of traditional funding sources, BAGS allows Boise State to engage with strategic investors, developers, and community partners to bring big ideas to life.
Leadership Team
BAGS will be led by a high-caliber team of professionals with deep ties to Boise State and the broader business community.
* Kevin McDonald, President – A 1981 Boise State graduate and former member of the university's 1980 national championship football team, McDonald brings three decades of sports and media leadership, including 15 years as Executive Director of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and senior sales roles in broadcasting.
"Boise State has always been bold and resourceful—that's in our DNA," McDonald said. "BAGS is about continuing that legacy by finding new ways to generate value and fund excellence."
* Brian Yeargain, Vice President – A 1994 graduate and tax partner at Little Morris, LLP, Yeargain offers financial expertise and a long-standing commitment to Boise State. He has also served as president of the Boise State Alumni Association and the Bronco Athletic Association (BAA).
* Brandy Stemmler, Secretary - Brandy Stemmler brings extensive leadership and financial expertise to her role as Secretary of BAGS. She recently completed her service as Chair of the Boise State University Foundation, where she played a key role in advancing the Foundation's launch of the university's $500M capital campaign, Unbridled. A seasoned mortgage professional, Stemmler currently serves as a Branch Manager at loanDepot.
Board Members
* Mark Miller, CEO - Miller Family Holdings
* Korey Hall, President of Construction & Partner - Ahlquist Construction Co.
* Ryan Relyea, Managing Director - Harbor Capital Partners
Momentum and Mission
The launch of BAGS comes on the heels of several recent strategic milestones by Boise State Athletics
* Boise State's entry into the new Pac-12 Conference marks a transformative moment for the university, aligning with peer institutions that share a vision for innovation, academic excellence, and athletic prominence in a conference rooted in championship tradition and building in bold ways. The move enhances Boise State's national platform and positions the Broncos to compete at the highest level across all sports.
* BroncoPRO, launched in November 2024, established Boise State as a national leader in NIL and revenue sharing
* An extended partnership with Learfield and Bronco Sports Properties, running through 2038-39, unlocked expanded NIL and business development opportunities
* Bronco Studios, the department's new in-house content engine, debuting later this summer, will feature Boise State Athletics storytelling and live programming hosted by award-winning anchor Jay Tust.
These initiatives have helped power Boise State to its most successful year in history, with 10 teams finishing with winning records, 16 team and individual conference titles, a first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, and a department-wide cumulative GPA of 3.46 at the end of spring 2025.
