WSU Athletic Director Anne McCoy releases statement post House settlement agreement
New Era in College Sports Kicks Off for WSU
Get ready for a shift in college athletics, especially here at Washington State!
The House vs. NCAA settlement, finalized last week, is opening the door for athletic departments to directly pay athletes through an annual revenue-sharing pool, capped at $20.5 million for the first year starting from July 1, 2026.
As the new fiscal year aligns with WSU's, our university has been preparing for this change. According to McCoy's statement, the plan is to use the scholarships, academic stipends, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments thoughtfully, maximizing their impact across our sports programs. This new programmatic autonomy will help coaches like Jimmy Rogers to lead more effectively as we transition into the revamped Pac-12 Conference.
Money-wise, the major spenders will likely cover the full $20.5 million, with boosters and NIL collectives providing additional funds. However, this wealth gap between top programs and those with limited resources could widen even further.
WSU, for instance, will be allocating $4.5 million for football revenue-sharing, though it's unclear how much of that will go directly to player compensation. The total number of spots to fund is still uncertain, but it was 105 last season, according to McCoy. We're reaching out for more details to help clear things up.
Despite seemingly small numbers compared to the lavish spending of other schools, WSU's allocation is expected to compete favorably in the new Pac-12 Conference due to its expansion. Gonzaga, Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State, and Utah State are joining the conference beginning in 2026-27, and schools without a football program can allocate more cash to basketball programs like Gonzaga.
As for upcoming decisions regarding player roster cuts, Ricky Ciccone, WSU's General Manager, will have a say in how the revenue-sharing money is distributed. "You're just assigning a dollar amount to each player," Ciccone explained. This shift from traditional scholarships to a dollar amount-based system will require a new approach to player pay distribution.
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