PULLMAN, Wash. – A Washington State Alum is combining his love for WSU athletics and coffee to help the university. In July 2021, the NCAA announced the creation of the nil, or name image likeness, a way for college athletes to make money on their likenesses. One WSU alumni is trying to make the most out of the NIL.

According to Brenden Martin, we need to raise funds to pay athletes, acquire the top talents, and keep competing at the highest level.

Brenden Martin is an avid Washington State football fan and tells me about the changing landscape of collegiate athletics. He is partnering up with the Cougar Collective, a place to connect athletes with business owners to take advantage of the NILS.

“as coughs, we don’t have a billionaire donor like Oregon does or what not to write a blank check, so it’s really important for us to come together, use our creative genius, and work together,” said Martin.

Martin did get creative. He and Indaba Coffee created Ol’ Crimson Coffee to raise money for the school.

Former WSU and NFL football player and the founder of the Cougar Collective, Jedidiah Collins, says Brenden contacted him about how to raise money for NIL.

“I got this idea, and our team, Tim and Luke, ran with it and brought it to fruition. Through a great collaboration, we’re going to deliver it,” said Collins. 

Martin said they already have orders in for it, but it’s not about making money; it’s about building a “Go Cougs” mentality.

“What’s great about Washington State University is we always do more with less,” said Martin.

Martin said they were supposed to launch the coffee brand today, but it somehow leaked. Martin said they’re getting in orders from Cougs around the nation. 

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