Ryan Leaf, the former Washington State quarterback who was selected second overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, has been tapped to lead USA Network’s coverage of Pac‑12 football and basketball beginning with the 2026 season.
USA Network will broadcast 22 Pac‑12 games over the upcoming cycle, a package that includes six appearances for Oregon State, as part of a broader effort to bring the conference’s matchups to a national audience.
Leaf’s professional playing career was short‑lived; after 25 NFL appearances he retired in 2021 amid performance struggles and recurring injuries.
Since stepping away from the field, he has pursued a media career, contributing analysis for CW Sports and ESPN and hosting a SiriusXM program on NFL Radio under the Westwood One Sports banner.
The transition hit a public snag when Leaf confronted former NFL doctor David Chao during Super Bowl LX Radio Row; the exchange remained verbal and Chao chose not to file a report.
A Second Chance
The role represents more than a career pivot; it is an opportunity for Leaf to reshape his public image while providing insight into a conference that has expanded its footprint across the country.
Fans will soon see whether his analytical voice can translate the raw talent that once made him a top prospect into a compelling narrative for viewers tuning in to the 2026 Pac‑12 slate.