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.

Story

Do yourself a favor. Watch this.

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Donald Trump 'Considering' NIL Executive Order Following Meeting With Nick Saban

The former Alabama head coach explained to the President of the United States that he wants to 'reform' NIL, not destroy it.

www.si.com

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban retired in January 2024 for a variety of reasons, but the then-72-year-old's most brought-up cause was due to the massive takeover of NIL.

The NCAA created a system in 2021 where college athletes can profit off their name, image and likeness, and while Saban hasn't necessarily been an enemy of that, he has not been in favor of the current state of it.

For the past year or so, a big reason why many college athletes and recruits have committed or transferred to schools has been based on how much they will be paid and which programs offer the most NIL money. It's gotten to the point where some athletes are making millions of dollars per year.

Saban has been a strong advocate for developing players both on and off the field, and this large sum of money on the table somewhat eliminates that. The University of Alabama hosted Saban and President of the United States Donald Trump during Thursday night's commencement where they both spoke to the graduates.

But according to Josh Dawsey, Rachel Bachman and Laine Higgins of The Wall Street Journal, Saban spoke to Trump about the issues of NIL on that same night.

The Trump administration is considering an executive order that could increase scrutiny of the explosion in payments to college athletes since 2021, after the president met with former Alabama coach Nick Saban, White House officials said, per The Wall Street Journal.

"Trump said he agreed with Saban and would look at crafting an executive order, people familiar with the meeting said. Trump told aides to begin studying what an order could say, the people said. Saban didn’t propose ending NIL but 'reforming' it, according to a person with direct knowledge of the meeting. He described how it was causing an uneven playing field, the people said, with an arms race among powerhouse schools."

72 rookies and udfa’s competed this weekend for a chance to attend fall camp.

Wesley Steiner represented WSU as a fullback recruit.

Good luck!


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Wesley Steiner is a senior linebacker for the Washington State University (WSU) Cougars football team. Here's a concise overview based on available information:

- **Background**: Originally from Warner Robins, Georgia, Steiner was a highly rated four-star recruit out of high school, ranked among the top prospects in Georgia and nationally at his position. He began his college career at Auburn University, where he played four seasons (2019–2023), appearing in 47 games and recording 86 tackles, including 46 in 2022, his most productive year.[](https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/may/10/wsu-adds-former-auburn-lb-wesley-steiner-once-a-4-/)[](https://247sports.com/college/washington-state/article/wsu-football-adds-over-1100-snaps-with-auburn-lb-transfer-wesley-steiner-231559251/)[](https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/5/11/24154235/wesley-steiner-wsu-transfer-auburn)

- **Transfer to WSU**: In the summer of 2024, Steiner transferred to WSU, bringing significant SEC experience with over 1,100 snaps at Auburn. He joined the Cougars to add depth and veteran presence to the linebacker corps under head coach Jake Dickert and defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding, who previously coached him at Auburn in 2021–2022.[](https://wsucougars.com/sports/football/roster/wesley-steiner/13880)[](https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/may/10/wsu-adds-former-auburn-lb-wesley-steiner-once-a-4-/)[](https://247sports.com/college/washington-state/article/wsu-football-adds-over-1100-snaps-with-auburn-lb-transfer-wesley-steiner-231559251/)

- **2024 Season**: At WSU, Steiner appeared in all 13 games, primarily on special teams, and tied for a team-high in appearances. He recorded 8 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, and no sacks or interceptions. His versatility across linebacker positions and special teams roles added flexibility to WSU’s defense.[](https://wsucougars.com/sports/football/roster/wesley-steiner/13880)[](https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4429008/wesley-steiner)[](https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4429008)

- **Additional Details**:
- **Physical Stats**: 6’1”, 242 lbs.[](https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4429008/wesley-steiner)
- **Eligibility**: Steiner has one year of eligibility remaining (his COVID year).[](https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/5/11/24154235/wesley-steiner-wsu-transfer-auburn)
- **Academics**: He earned a bachelor’s degree in General Science Education from Auburn and is pursuing a Master of Health Science in Anesthesia. He was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll multiple times.[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-steiner-a2a4a3235/)[](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2023/player/wesley-steiner)
- **NIL Valuation**: Estimated at around $119,000 annually through endorsements and local partnerships.[](https://www.collegenetworth.com/wesley-steiner-washington-state/)

- **Role at WSU**: Steiner competes with a talented linebacker group, including Taariq Al-Uqdah, Kyle Thornton, Keith Brown, and Parker McKenna. His experience enhances WSU’s defense, though he primarily contributed on special teams in 2024. How he adapts to Schmedding’s defensive scheme long-term remains a point of interest.[](https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/may/10/wsu-adds-former-auburn-lb-wesley-steiner-once-a-4-/)[](https://www.cougcenter.com/2024/5/11/24154235/wesley-steiner-wsu-transfer-auburn)[](https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/wsu-cougar-football/wsu-adds-former-auburn-lb-wesley-steiner-once-a-4-star-recruit/)

For the latest updates, you can check WSU Athletics (wsucougars.com), ESPN, or follow WSU Football on X (@WSUCougarFB).[](https://wsucougars.com/sports/football/roster/wesley-steiner/13880)[](https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4429008/wesley-steiner)

If you need specific stats, game highlights, or further details, let me know!

Ok, even for a guy (me) who doesn't much care how old his women are, this is pretty funny and IMHO sort of sick. To clarify, I actually prefer older women. For various reasons that I shall not elaborate on.

I watched a snippet of the interview in question, where 24-year-old Jordon was sitting off to the side telling the interviewer that "we are not talking about this" when he asked Bill how they met. And sort of directed the interview questions. Remember - he recently turned 73 and she is still 24. That is sick right there. Then 'ol Bill fights back by saying the below:

"We have been open about the fact that Jordon and I met on a flight to Palm Beach in 2021," he said in his statement Wednesday.
So Bill, in 2021 you were 68 or 69 and she was like 20? Maybe 21? Really? Now she has you by the balls? A related story is about her attending UNC practices and causing stir. Even Bill's buddy Charles Barkley is concerned.



Totally unrelated, anyone one else roll their eyes at the Blue Chew commercials? This product (Gibby take note ) has Viagra, Cialis and Levitra in one pill. And a string of hot young chicks attest to it being the greatest thing for their sex lives. You telling me that your guys can't get it and keep it up for you? You all must be dating 73-year-old guys like Jordon/Belichick.

Make sure you get to the end and watch the short video.

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!"

69 overall to the Patriots.

Why Oregon State seems in better spot than Washington State in Pac-12​

Jon Wilner
May 1, 2025

Two athletic directors separated by 400 miles addressed the same subject at the same time but with noticeably different tones.

There was Oregon State’s Scott Barnes, discussing the Pac-12’s media rights agreement for the 2025 season on a Portland radio show Tuesday afternoon, brimming with enthusiasm over the deal itself and the Beavers’ position in the conference’s new era.

And there was Washington State’s Anne McCoy, commenting on a variety of issues during a webinar with reporters. She was upbeat over the media deal that places nine WSU and OSU home games on The CW, two more on CBS and two on ESPN. But McCoy’s overall tone was measured, if not cautious, especially when the topic turned to WSU’s budget.

The Cougars and Beavers, who charged arm-in-arm through an existential crisis, don’t seem like equals these days.

Yes, they have taken the Mountain West to court over the poaching penalty fees. They have locked up a broadcast deal for 2025, secured six new members for 2026 and are perhaps weeks away from announcing a longer-term media rights partnership that will span the decade.

But on campus-specific matters — from the alignment of vision to the state of the budget to the strength of the football roster — the forecast seems brighter in Corvallis than Pullman.

That’s hardly a surprise given the events of the past year.

Oregon State’s leadership is entrenched, with a president, Jayathi Murthy, steeled by the challenges of the past two-and-a-half years. Barnes has been a major college athletic director for almost two decades and is ending his 10th year with OSU. Football coach Trent Bray, hired in the fall of 2023, has his staff and roster in place after a difficult first season.

The top of the org chart in Corvallis appears aligned, committed and ready for anything after enduring … everything.

Turnover has whacked the Cougars where it matters most.

Football coach Jimmy Rogers was hired in December from South Dakota State to replace Jake Dickert. McCoy just concluded her first year as an athletic director following decades of senior-level roles at WSU. And there’s a new president, Elizabeth Cantwell, who has been on the job for a grand total of 31 days.

Cantwell arrived from Utah State and is learning the culture, building trust with the governing board and — in addition to everything else on her plate — determining the appropriate funding for the athletic department.

During her call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, in fact, McCoy was asked about WSU’s budget for 2025-26. Will it return to 2024 levels or remain at the lower figure imposed for the current competition year?

“We’re in the middle of the budget process,” McCoy said. “It’s probably a little early for me to say where we’ll land.”

WSU’s decision will do much more than impact success on the field and the court in the upcoming season. It will offer clarity into the university’s commitment level.

Some data points provide context:

— The Cougars spent $89 million on athletics in the 2024 fiscal year, whereas Oregon State’s budget was $113 million, according to NCAA financial reports obtained by the Hotline.

— The Cougars are expecting to spend $74 million this year, whereas Oregon State’s budget was pegged at $92 million, based on a university financial report presented last year.

— The disparity exists in football, as well. WSU spent $20 million on the program last year while OSU spent $26 million.

— There’s a difference in coaching salaries, too. Oregon State handed Bray a deal worth $2 million annually when he accepted the position in the fall of 2023, with no head coaching experience. Washington State hired Rogers for $1.57 million annually in December, per reports, after his successful run leading South Dakota State.

At that level, Rogers’ compensation compares poorly to head coaches in the new Pac-12.

Boise State just signed Spencer Danielson to a deal worth $2.2 million. Utah State’s Bronco Mendenhall is just behind Danielson at $2.1 million, followed by San Diego State’s Sean Lewis and Colorado State’s Jay Norvell.

Put another way: Rogers ranks sixth of the seven, ahead of only Fresno State’s Matt Entz, who was not a sitting head coach at the time of his appointment a few months ago.

Divergent paths are emerging across the Pac-12 landscape, with the Beavers seemingly better positioned than WSU for the next step.

The schools survived the Pac-12’s collapse and have secured their near-term futures. But they will face stiff competition from newcomers for superiority within the rebuilt league. Boise State (football) and Gonzaga (basketball) are particularly daunting.

Nobody knows what shape college sports will take in the 2030s, but everyone knows the next five years are effectively an audition for whatever comes next. Winning matters more than ever before.

The Beavers and Cougars have laid the requisite foundation with their work salvaging the conference. What comes next depends, to a great extent, on willpower at the local level.

Anything short of the maximum possible commitment could have consequences that last decades.

Jon Wilner: jwilner@bayareanewsgroup.com. Jon Wilner

Washington State AD hints at improving experience at Martin Stadium | The Seattle Times​

Greg WoodsApril 30, 2025
The Spokesman-Review

PULLMAN — As Washington State prepares for a football season unlike any other in program history, a quasi-independent schedule before the rebuilt Pac-12 launches next year, program brass are exploring ways to improve fans’ game-day experience at Martin Stadium.

That’s the word from WSU athletic director Anne McCoy, who said in a Zoom news conference Tuesday afternoon that she and other athletics officials are working to act on “great feedback” they’ve received since the end of last season.

“I think it’s gonna be wide-reaching, I really do,” McCoy said of the upgrades, “because we need to make it easier and enjoyable for people to come to the games.”

Perhaps the most interesting development McCoy hinted at involved lodging, which has long been a snag in Pullman, a small town with only so many hotels for fans to stay during football game weekends.

Because the town’s hotels can rake in serious revenue off the six or seven home games per year, they often drive up prices for those weekends, which in turn repels some would-be patrons, decreasing the amount of tickets sold at football games.

McCoy said any announcements on game day experiences would have to wait until “the next couple weeks,” but she offered a clue to what WSU is doing for lodging improvements.

“We’re trying to be as creative as we can,” McCoy said. “One thing I will say is that while we may have a finite number of hotels, we do have a fair amount of land. So that’s as much as a hint as I’ll give you.”

Because of Pullman’s limited lodging options, fans from the surrounding areas often choose to stay in nearby Moscow, Lewiston or even Spokane, a 90-minute trek.

Especially as the Cougars’ home opponents become less recognizable than traditional Pac-12 opponents such as Oregon or Arizona, the program’s attendance numbers have suffered, averaging only 22,413 fans per game last season. The stadium’s capacity is nearly 33,000.

In 2023, the team’s final year playing a regular Pac-12 schedule, WSU drew an average attendance of 28,023. In 2022, the number was 26,185.

In 2024, three of the Cougars’ six home games kicked off at 7 p.m. or later. In 2025, that figure will also be three, as detailed in WSU and Oregon State’s media rights agreement, which was announced Tuesday morning.

That split between afternoon and evening kickoffs, McCoy said, gives the program a versatile slate that offers fans more options.

“We do have folks that like the evening kickoffs, relative to maybe traveling and being able to come in day of,” McCoy said, “or coming in the night before and leaving after the game, depending on what the kickoff time is. So I think it provides us a really good opportunity to provide a little something for everyone.”

As WSU gears up to welcome new members to the new-look Pac-12 — which will include Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State and nonfootball member Gonzaga, with one more football member needed before launch in 2026 — some in the organization have noticed ways to borrow from other institutions’ game day experiences.

That includes LED lights, like those at Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium, where WSU traveled for a road loss last fall. In an April 3 letter posted online, McCoy said, in part, “We are navigating the challenge of upgrading in-game elements such as the videoboard, sound system and lights, and project the costs to exceed $12 million.”

It’s unclear if those improvements would be in place for WSU’s 2025 season, which begins Aug. 30 with a home game against nearby Idaho.

The football program is also planning to improve its concessions service, run by the vendor Aramark, which took over Martin Stadium’s concessions in 2024. With one season of working with Aramark under the department’s belt, McCoy said, officials feel better about ways to upgrade it.

“Aramark would be the first one to admit that, as would we, that there were some bumps in the road on that,” McCoy said. “I think making it an easy, seamless, enjoyable experience should be kind of a baseline expectation, and that’s something we need to do a better job of.”

WSU hasn’t allowed beer sales during football games, another longtime complaint of fans, but the Cougars opened a beer garden in the west end zone during their April 12 spring showcase.

For home football games, WSU’s only beer options are outside the regular stadium, including Martin Stadium’s club and suite levels, pregame and halftime stations at the neighboring Rogers Practice Field and during pregame events at nearby Hollingbery Fieldhouse.

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

One player from both OSU and WSU was drafted. Kyle Williams.

List:
SEC (79)
Big Ten (71)
Pac-2 (1)
Washington State ─ 1

With revenue sharing coming in, and the NIL market way outside of what we can achieve, it's time to think about doing business differently.