Penn State Board of Trustees Approve Transfer Deal For WPSU

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. — Penn State’s Board of Trustees has proposed a new deal to sell WPSU to WHYY, a public media provider based in the Philadelphia area.

On Monday, the board unanimously approved the material terms of the proposed transaction.

The decision also authorizes the university to negotiate and execute the agreements needed to complete the sale.

According to Bill Marrazzo, president and CEO of WHYY, the organization offered to step in about a year ago.

In September, the board voted down an earlier proposal to sell WPSU to WHYY that would have required Penn State to gradually reduce its operating support for WPSU over five years. Trustees declined that offer, citing the university’s inability to take on such a large financial commitment.

Under the new agreement, WHYY must raise $17.3 million over five years to ensure WPSU’s financial stability. The organization plans to seek third-party funding to meet its obligations.

The deal requires WHYY to secure $8.36 million in the first two years, with $5 million already raised.

“Most importantly, we want to assure public media audiences in Central Pennsylvania that WPSU will continue to be here for you,” Marrazzo said.

The sale is expected to close by June 30, 2026. WPSU had previously been expected to wind down operations following that date, but the new deal gives the station a renewed future.

Nikolai Wagner is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To email him, contact njw5648@psu.edu.