PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State football announced kickoff times for seven games on its 2025 schedule Tuesday while also finalizing a media rights deal for the upcoming season. The agreement, shared with Oregon State, splits the 13 combined home games for the two programs across The CW, ESPN and CBS.
For the Cougs, five games will air on The CW and the Apple Cup vs. UW will air on CBS. WSU’s schedule includes a mix of afternoon and evening kickoffs, which WSU athletic director Anne McCoy said was a priority for the school.
“I think we have as many afternoon as we do evenings,” McCoy said during a press conference Tuesday. “I think it provides us a really good opportunity to provide a little something for everyone.”
McCoy called the deal an important step for the program and for the Pac-12 Conference as both Washington State and Oregon State continue to navigate life as the remaining members of the league with the new, rebuilt Pac-12 on the way in 2026.
National Exposure a Priority
With the majority of WSU’s home games airing on The CW and the Apple Cup set for CBS, McCoy emphasized the value of national television visibility.
“I’m not sure there’s a way I could answer that to emphasize enough how important that is,” she said. “The exposure that we will have was tremendous this past season, and we’re really excited to continue that partnership.”
McCoy credited last season’s success on The CW, including the network’s most-watched college football game during WSU’s matchup against San Jose State, as a driving factor in renewing the agreement.
“I could not have been more pleased with that partnership,” McCoy said. “I think they were as well and excited to continue this fall and in 2025.”
No Timeline Yet on Long-Term Pac-12 Media Rights
While the 2025 slate is locked in, questions remain about the Pac-12’s long-term media rights future, starting in 2026. McCoy said discussions are ongoing and that she remains optimistic, though no official announcement is imminent.
“We just got back from Pac-12 meetings late last night and had really good conversations and updates,” McCoy said. “Although I don’t know an actual timeline, I’m not concerned about it. There’s been a lot of great progress and excitement around the Pac-12.”
When asked whether The CW, CBS and ESPN would be in the mix for the conference’s next multi-year deal starting in 2026, McCoy kept the focus on the current agreement.
“There are a lot of potential partners that are in the mix for that,” she said. “Right now we’re solely focused on 2025. ’26 and beyond is still a work in progress.”
Facility, Game Day Upgrades on the Horizon
“We’re really trying to listen to what people hope to see when they go to a Cougar football game,” she said. “Whether that’s food or other offerings, or even just getting another year under our belt with the new concessionaire. There were some bumps in the road, and we need to do a better job.”
On April 3, WSU announced that major in-game enhancements—such as a new videoboard, upgraded sound system, improved lighting expanded food and beverage options, and more community activities on WSU Football Saturdays—are ‘in the works.’
McCoy said specific announcements on additional improvements could come in the next several weeks.
Budget Discussions Ongoing
Finally, McCoy addressed the athletic department’s budget for the next fiscal year, noting it remains under review as the university holds budget hearings.
“We’re in the middle of our budget process right now,” she said. “It’s a little early for me to say where we’ll land, but we’re certainly looking at how we can maximize the current resources we have while continuing to grow.”
Washington State opens the 2025 football season Aug. 30 against Idaho in Pullman.