BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho State Board of Education gave Boise State permission to pursue membership with the Big East Conference, a move that would mean more revenue and give the Broncos a clear path to the BCS.

The board voted 7-1 to give university President Bob Kustra the authority to move Boise State's football program out of the Mountain West Conference and into the Big East for the 2013 season.

NEW YORK — Baseball's free-agent signing season began with Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Aramis Ramirez available in a market far stronger on hitting than starting pitching.C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle, Roy Oswalt, Edwin Jackson and Hiroki Kuroda topped the list of free-agent starters, while Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez and Jonathan Broxton were among the available closers.

ARLINGTON, Texas ( — Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux was given permission to interview for managerial openings with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, though any talking will have to wait until he recovers from a bout with laryngitis.Maddux hopes to meet with both teams next week.

ST. LOUIS — A person familiar with the search told The Associated Press that the St. Louis Cardinals have begun interviewing for their managing vacancy with a pair of lower-profile candidates, Joe McEwing and Chris Maloney.McEwing was named third base coach for new Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura earlier this week after success at the minor league level. Maloney manages the Cardinals' Triple-A Memphis affiliate.

NEW YORK — Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander was selected player of the year in voting by the Major League Baseball Players Association, becoming the second pitcher to earn the honor.Verlander beat out Boston first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson for the Players Choice Award. The only other pitcher to win it was Boston's Pedro Martinez in 1999.

HOUSTON — NCAA President Mark Emmert said that university leaders across the country are “adamant” about never allowing students to be paid for playing and disputed the suggestion that adding up to $2,000 to athletic scholarships is a move in that direction.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Brandt Snedeker will be out of golf the rest of the year to recover from hip surgery.Snedeker, who won The Heritage in April, had surgery Tuesday.