So, any thoughts on how this will pan out?

The Hyper-Intelligent Loyal One thinks the MW will offer some concessions on both the poaching fees and the exit fees, but not much. In addition to the dollars themselves, if the MW gives up too much the Pac-? will just turn around and poach UNLV. Especially since MW $ promises to UNLV are highly dependent on the poaching/exit monies.

As I have stated previously, I think the Pac-?'s lawsuit is a joke and should have simply been thrown out. Our arguments are pathetic. On the exit fees, these are standard in all conferences, although I've read where indeed they are often bargained down.

Seatgeek is having a Memorial Day sale right now. 20% off ticket purchases so essentially wipes out their fees and then some.

I got two tix for Ol Miss 30 yard line like 15 rows up for under $100. I figured that game would be a lot more so pleasantly surprised.

Not a bad weekend to do some shopping if you want to get road game tix.

I’m in Colorado for my future son-in-law’s graduation from the Colorado School of Mines. They’ve recently restarted a tradition where the graduates wear cowboy hats instead of mortarboards. The students can get custom branding for the hats based on their degree or whatever they want. Personally, I think it’s pretty cool.


https://www.minesnewsroom.com/sites...raduatecomm1-20250509-tm-08.jpg?itok=Q0DBNf8C

That’s what can happen when you play in Pullman for Washington State.

This is about as clear of an argument as to why you need to invest in athletics. For WSU is means, University subsidies in a meaningful way to be competitive.

"Large flagship universities—blessed with strong academic reputations and high-profile sports programs—continue to boost local economies. In such cities as Ann Arbor, Mich., University of Michigan, Madison, Wis., University of Wisconsin, and Gainesville, Fla., University of Florida, students fill dorms, restaurants and bars.

A Wall Street Journal analysis of 748 public four-year colleges and universities in all 50 states shows that full- and part-time enrollment at the most prominent state universities increased 9% in 2023 compared with 2015. At lesser-known regional state universities, enrollment fell 2%. The shift represents tens of thousands of students who have abandoned struggling college towns.

At the University of Tennessee Knoxville, the state’s flagship school, enrollment jumped 30% in 2023 compared with 2015. Enrollment at Tennessee’s 10 regional state colleges fell a combined 3% over the same period. In Wisconsin, enrollment at the University of Wisconsin in Madison jumped 16% and fell 9% at regional public campuses over the same period. Between 2011 and 2023, the economies of the metropolitan areas that include Madison and Knoxville grew faster than the U.S. as a whole."

I suspect Baumgartner to be involved as well.

Politics aside, any Cougar fan or college sports fan should welcome the reform. WSU can't compete in this NIL pay to play era, so any guardrails from the Feds would be welcome news.

Multiple rulings today on defense motions, pretty much all losses for them:

- The surviving roommate gets to testify, and can talk about "bushy eyebrows." If the defense wants to say she was too drunk to remember anything reliably, they have to show that on cross-examination.
- The autism diagnosis is only relevant, and can only be mentioned, if Kohberger himself testifies...which the defense has said they're not planning on.
- Vehicle experts get to testify
- State DNA experts get to testify, but can't refer to "touch DNA"
story

Really, at this point I don't think the defense is really expecting to get anything excluded. What they're doing is creating ample grounds for appeal. They want to have a raft of rulings by the trial court that can be challenged on appeal, and if any of them are found to have been prejudicial, they can get a sentence thrown out or maybe get a new trial. It's not about this judge and this trial...it's about a more sympathetic judge that they can get a different ruling from in 10 years.

Norm!!!

A classic character on one of the very best sitcoms ever. R.I.P. to George Wendt.

Here is a link to every one of his entries into the Cheers bar. Great writing.

Dumb that it took this long but glad he will finally get his day. Sad he won’t be there to celebrate it.

Baseball is I think by far the weirdest of all sports when it comes to history and tradition. Like these voters who won’t vote for an obvious hall of famer on a first ballot.

Not sure how many are of the era that they heard Dan Maher perform around Pullman, but word came out through one of the alumni groups that he passed away earlier today. No other details so far.

WSU announces 10-year radio broadcast, ticket sales agreement​

Greg Woods
May 15, 2025
The Spokesman-Review

PULLMAN – Washington State has a new partner for its radio broadcasting, ticket sales services and more.

The Cougars and Playfly Sports have agreed to a 10-year deal, the organizations announced Thursday, which will give Playfly rights to WSU’s radio broadcasts, outbound ticket sales and more. The deal goes into effect on July 1, the first day of WSU’s fiscal year 2026.

Terms of the new agreement were not disclosed.

Playfly replaces WSU’s agreement with Learfield, which purchased the rights to the Cougs’ radio broadcasts in 2000. That contract comes to an end this summer.

“This transformative partnership with Playfly Sports represents the next step into a new era for Cougar Athletics,” WSU AD Anne McCoy said via release. “Playfly’s relationship-first approach aligns with our values and their expertise and innovation make them an ideal long-term partner. Their focus on the future of college athletics, as well as their ability to leverage their resources to tell our story, will allow us to build deeper relationships with fans and sponsors while generating sustainable revenue to help support our student-athletes and programs.”

For WSU, this is a separate media rights deal than the one for TV broadcasts, which are negotiated through the Pac-12. That agreement is expected to be announced sometime this summer.

It’s unclear how this new agreement will impact the futures of Learfield employees at WSU, including football, men’s basketball and baseball play-by-play broadcaster Chris King, who enjoyed his first season on the job this year. The list also includes King’s basketball partner, Craig Ehlo, football color commentator Alex Brink and women’s basketball commentator Steve Grubbs.

According to the news release, Playfly will “lead the sales, cultivation, and activation of corporate sponsorships at both local and national levels and secure naming rights for select athletic venues.” That means some of the Cougars’ stadiums/arenas could undergo name changes, though details on that front are unclear.

Playfly Sports partners with more than 65 collegiate athletic departments, according to the release, with WSU becoming the sixth to integrate both multimedia rights and ticketing services under Playfly’s management.

“This partnership is about unlocking transformational growth for the next chapter of Washington State athletics,” Playfly Sports Properties president and former Seattle Reign guard (1986-88) Christy Hedgpeth said via release. “Together, we’re bringing a modern mindset to maximize untapped resources and drive sustainable revenue. From enhancing the fan journey in Pullman to engaging Coug fans across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, we’ll help WSU think like a media company and activate its national brand 365 days a year.”

Greg Woods: Washington State beat writer for The Spokesman-Review

Ok, you actual Cougs refrain from replying for a bit to let the pseudo-Cougs fail miserably.

Q: What is the Legend behind the red background on the Bryan Tower Clock?

Q: What is the 8th of May and how does that relate to WSU?

Q: What carnivore resides on the edge of the WSU campus? Extra credit - and why?

Q: What is the affectionate term for N. Campus Heights?

Q: What did George Raveling say about Pullman's location?

Q: What was the beer-soaked road trip through BFE Latah, etc. County called?

Q: When you are in your Coug gear and see someone else in Coug gear, what do you say? and what is their proper reply? I struggle with this in YakiVegas, as many of the Coug gear-wearers don't speak English and have no idea what I'm saying,

Q: Last one - what did mutt FB HC Don James say about being a Coug?

From Pit. With 4 years of eligibility. Our QB room is looking stacked

the constant "Alumni Verification Requested".....emails, postcards and phone calls?

Every five years or so, (a for profit business), a third party vendor in conjunction with the WSU Alumni Association, will hammer you to "update your profile" and tell your story.

The problem is...this is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Why? The real fundamental reason why this family owned third party vendor hounds you with postcards and emails is to get you to buy their directory.

Fine, open up your wallet and buy the directory, and the WSU Alumni does get a percentage of the sale.

Is the directory worth it. My observation. No. Not worth the money they want. This is a sales solicitation gimmick.

I am so frustrated with the weekly postcards, and emails for a business that is hounding and sociliatiing.....a sale. I just don't like there approach.

BTW, I have not found a way to have them remove me off their list. Bottom line, this is a sales type of thing, and the Alumni Association gets a percentage. Understand they need some financial love, but the approach is horrible. Anyone else frustrated? By the way, the campaign started in March and goes to September. The book comes out in April on 2026, and if you buy it.....good luck ever looking at it a second time.

Marketing solicitation gimmick, for a book (or directory), that will end up in some box as clutter junk.

We are dangerously close .

Jerone Martin PG

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OK, a little off-topic but at least FB-related. I just don't understand shit like this. I mean look at that place - WTF is wrong with Soldier Field? Not enough luxury boxes? Seats too skinny for all the fat fans? IMHO, us entitled Americans have our priorities so F-ed up. Add more seats like the big college programs? OK. Completely demolish a huge stadium because why? Not to add seats. Hell I thought the Kingdome was just fine.

Not that it really matters if this thing escalates




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Coug Women win NIT

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Hey Stretch,

Remember where it all started?

Good seats still available!

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3 years of eligibility

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Due to multiple injuries, Rising is hanging it up and going back to his high schools to be coach.

He’s a great example of how the redshirt rules have changed. He has a year of eligibility left and could play at Utah in 2025. He was originally in the QB class of 2018 - the same class that Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Brock Purdy were in. They’re out of their rookie deals or close to it…and he’s not even out of college yet. Used to be tough to get one medical redshirt. He’s had at least 3.

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