Canzano: Washington State waits on John Mateer
"I don't recall having meetings for Cam Ward last year."
High-level donors at Washington State met two Fridays ago to talk about the biggest fish in the football pond in Pullman — quarterback John Mateer.
The group reconvened again last Monday for a second meeting to put the finishing touches on a financial proposal that donors, boosters, coaches, and fans hope keeps Mateer from entering the transfer portal.
Said one involved party: “Bottom line, he’s worth it not just as a player but as a person. He’s so right for Washington State.”
How right?
“I don’t recall having meetings for Cam Ward last year.”
The official presentation to Mateer was held at noon last Tuesday in the WSU football offices. It included an NIL package, a recorded video message from two other school greats, Ryan Leaf and Jack Thompson, and a delicate touch.
Two donors who developed friendships with Mateer in the last couple of years told me they opted not to attend the meeting out of respect. They didn’t want to be selfish and put undue pressure on Mateer, who is being wooed with the weight of a $1.5 million NIL package from an SEC school, among others.
Said one booster: “He’s got a lot of people pushing and pulling right now.”