WSU Board of Regents approves $20 million investment in athletics program

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Washington State University’s Board of Regents voted 8-1 Friday to direct $20 million from university operating funds toward Cougar Athletics for fiscal year 2027 to address a projected budget shortfall.

The decision came during the board’s meeting on WSU’s Vancouver campus, following committee discussions about the university’s athletic future.

Board Chair Jenette Ramos called the investment a strategic opportunity during Friday’s committee meetings.

“We have an amazing moment in FY27 to approach the new Pac-12 with a winning mindset, a winning team, a new team, and I think of this not as a cliff, but as a moment to invest and to bet on athletics,” Ramos said.

In a March 6 message to faculty and staff, University President Betsy Cantwell said the resolution reflects the board’s recognition that athletics drives student recruitment, retention and institutional pride.

“It strengthens WSU’s visibility, affinity and reputation while fully supporting — and in no way detracting from — WSU’s core academic and research mission,” Cantwell wrote. “The $20 million in support will stabilize Athletics operations through FY27, providing critical time for WSU leadership and Cougar Athletics to expand revenue streams and accelerate fundraising efforts.”

The fiscal year 2027 operating budget, including the athletics support, will be presented to the Board of Regents for approval in May 2026.

Read WSU President Betsy Cantwell’s full statement.