A Richland Business Gives WSU’s Football Field a New Name

For the next ten years, the Washington State University Cougars will play football on Gesa Field at Martin Stadium.

Richland's Gesa Credit Union ponied up $11 million smackers over the next ten years for the naming rights. The deal also includes two branches of Gesa Credit Union on campus to be run by WSU students.

Rumors have swirled for a long time about various businesses wanting the opportunity to rename the stadium, including a deal with Darigold that almost closed a couple of years ago, but ultimately couldn't be completed. This time, the Cougs and Gesa Credit Union got it done.

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WSU athletics director Pat Chun announced the deal during Friday’s Board of Regents meeting with the change quickly approved unanimously by the board. The deal is for 10 years and at least $11 million total, with the money going towards general operations of the athletic department.

“Today begins a historic partnership between Gesa Credit Union and Washington State University,” said WSU Director of Athletics Pat Chun via a news release. “This partnership unites two organizations with a shared vision of educating and impacting communities throughout the state of Washington and Pacific Northwest. In addition, this partnership will impact our goal of providing a first-class experience for our student-athletes. We welcome Gesa Credit Union as the newest members of the WSU Family and look forward to great victories, memories and moments for WSU Football taking place on Gesa Field.”

The deal becomes official on July 1st, the first day of WSU’s new fiscal year and will be in place for the first home game this fall, against Utah State on September 4.

Additionally, special WSU-branded debit and credit cards will be offered in which a donation will be made to the Cougar Athletic Fund each time those cards are swiped. The cards are available right now and can be instantly printed at Gesa branches.