In brief: Mariners reach deal with Griffey

Baseball: Junior’s back in Seattle, one more time.

Ken Griffey Jr. and the Mariners agreed Wednesday to another one-year contract that will keep the popular player in town for what could be his final season.

Griffey, who turns 40 on Nov. 21, was guaranteed $2 million when he signed to return to Seattle for the 2009 season and had the chance to earn more in bonuses.

It is believed Griffey will get a slightly higher base salary than last season, with fewer incentives based upon plate appearances and Mariners home attendance. He earned $1.15 million of a possible $3 million in bonuses from this year’s contract.

He is likely to again be a part-time designated hitter in his 22nd major league season since he broke in as a grinning Mariners teenager.

“He is willing to perform any role,” agent Brian Goldberg said.

A 10-time All-Star, Griffey hit .214 last season with 19 homers as a part-time DH.

Associated Press

Stock tip for Boise St. fans

College football: The Boise State Athletic Department is selling stock in Bronco sports.

Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier unveiled the fundraising program that hopes to raise $20 million for renovation and upgrades to Bronco sports facilities.

Shares are selling for $100 apiece.

As part of the program, the athletic department formed a nonprofit corporation, Boise State Broncos Inc., and created a 12-person board to oversee it.

Bronco stock shares do not pay investors dividends or offer any other financial reward. But shareholders can vote each year on board members.

Bleymaier says the program mirrors a stock offering arranged 12 years ago by Green Bay of the NFL.

Associated Press

And he won’t buy BSU stock

The Boise State vs. Idaho rivalry has taken to some not-so-friendly skies.

Idaho athletic drector Rob Spear said he declined to board a Horizon Air flight after learning the airplane was painted in BSU’s blue and orange colors.

Spear was traveling to Boise last Saturday for fundraising events. He requested another flight and then drove about 90 miles north to fly from the Spokane airport to Boise.

Boise State and Horizon Air unveiled the plane, which sports the team logo on its tail, as an ode to the Broncos earlier this month.

Spear said he’ll board the plane after Horizon Air paints an airplane for the Vandals, whose football team will try to beat the No. 6 Broncos Saturday for the first time since 1998.

Associated Press