Follow the Money? The Curious Case of Mr. Athens and Arkansas State’s Media Glow-Up

Saturday Night Chronicles
Feb 27, 2025
4 min read

Champ Jackson, Saturday Night Chronicles

For much of his media career, Mr. Athens was one of Arkansas State’s most vocal critics. He picked apart their performances, questioned their ability to compete at the highest level, and made it clear that he wasn’t buying into the hype surrounding the Red Wolves. Yet, early into last season, something changed. Mr. Athens—once Arkansas State’s biggest detractor—suddenly became their loudest advocate in the media.

It wasn’t just a subtle shift in tone. It was a complete 180-degree reversal. The same man who had previously dismissed Arkansas State as an overhyped team now praised their program at every opportunity. No coaching staff changes. No roster shakeups. No dramatic turnaround in performance. So, the question is: why?

The Restaurant Connection

One potential clue comes in the form of a new restaurant in Jonesboro, Arkansas that opened around the same time as Mr. Athens’ change of heart. The establishment, aptly named “Athens”, boasts an impressive 4.5-star rating from 134 reviews. While a successful business in Jonesboro isn’t necessarily suspicious, the LLC behind the restaurant has been directly tied to Mr. Athens himself.

The timing is impossible to ignore. The restaurant opens, Mr. Athens suddenly becomes Arkansas State’s most dedicated supporter, and his media persona goes from skeptic to superfan overnight. Could it be a coincidence? Perhaps. But when paired with what we uncovered next, the picture becomes much clearer.

The VIP Treatment: Jibber Jabber Media’s Private Suite

For all of last season, and continuing into this current season, Arkansas State has been providing Jibber Jabber Media, the outlet that Mr. Athens represents, with a private suite at home football games. The university’s willingness to grant exclusive access and premium seating to a media entity—particularly one that experienced such a dramatic shift in narrative—raises serious ethical concerns.

Traditionally, sports journalists aim to maintain some degree of objectivity. They analyze, critique, and praise based on performance, not perks. But in this case, Mr. Athens’ sudden favoritism toward Arkansas State seems to align suspiciously well with his newfound luxury accommodations.

The $1.5 Million Bet That Raises Eyebrows

While these revelations are concerning, perhaps the most explosive piece of evidence comes from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that unearthed a major financial transaction tied to Arkansas State’s top booster. Two seasons ago, this booster placed a $1.5 million wager on Coastal Carolina to defeat USF in the national championship. That bet wasn’t placed on just any sportsbook—it was placed on Jibber Jabber Sportsbook.

This revelation is significant for multiple reasons:

The bet was wildly risky—a sum that large suggests it wasn’t about profit but something else entirely.
Many assume the bet was effectively a donation—a way to funnel money into a system that would ultimately benefit Arkansas State and those tied to it.
Jibber Jabber Sportsbook’s involvement—the same brand that grants Mr. Athens media credibility and financial backing, making the connection between his favorable Arkansas State coverage and potential financial incentives all the more glaring.

Arkansas State’s NIL Power Play

Another piece of the puzzle is Arkansas State’s approach to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, particularly concerning their quarterback, Conner Woj. According to multiple sources, Woj has been given a massive NIL deal rumored to exceed $1 million. What makes this deal even more intriguing is the additional employment incentives that are reportedly part of the agreement, ensuring financial security for Woj even after his college career is over.

This unprecedented NIL deal raises several key questions:

Is Arkansas State leveraging its boosters and media allies to create a self-sustaining promotional cycle?
Does this deal contribute to the broader financial and media influence campaign Arkansas State has seemingly undertaken?
How does this affect the competitive landscape, and are other programs looking into similar media-backed NIL arrangements?

What Changed? Nothing—Except the Money

It would be one thing if Arkansas State’s resurgence on the field justified this shift in narrative. But the reality is: nothing changed. Coach Bryan has consistently led the program to success, and the Red Wolves were already a proven powerhouse before Mr. Athens jumped on the bandwagon.

There was no breakthrough moment, no roster transformation, no undeniable turning point—except in the financial and business dealings surrounding Arkansas State athletics and Mr. Athens himself.

The Silence Speaks Volumes

When reached for comment, Mr. Athens did not respond. That silence is telling. If this transformation in his coverage was truly organic—driven by genuine belief in Arkansas State’s program—why not defend it? Why not refute the claims and provide transparency?

Additionally, Coach Bryan was reached for comment and denied any known connection to Arkansas State’s athletic department, Mr. Athens, or Jibber Jabber Media. Our FOIA request reflects no connection between the coach and Mr. Athens. While this does not directly rule out the influence of Arkansas State’s boosters, it does reinforce the idea that this shift was not based on football-related changes.

The Verdict: Is Mr. Athens Bought and Paid For?

There’s no smoking gun—yet. But the evidence suggests that Mr. Athens’ transformation from critic to cheerleader was not due to an awakening about Arkansas State’s talent but rather a strategic financial move.

With a restaurant tied to his name, a private suite provided by the university, and a sportsbook connection to a suspiciously large bet, the pieces of the puzzle align in a way that raises serious doubts about his objectivity as a journalist.

With a restaurant tied to his name, a private suite provided by the university, a sportsbook connection to a suspiciously large bet, and now a massive NIL deal for Arkansas State’s star quarterback, the pieces of the puzzle align in a way that raises serious doubts about his objectivity as a journalist.