An update from Chris McIntosh

College athletics is undergoing the most profound change in its history. Starting in the fall of 2025, college athletic departments will be able to share revenue with some student-athletes as part of a settlement in the House of Representatives vs. NCAA case. Although final approval of the settlement is pending, the terms currently under consideration include a provision that would allow a participating school or college to share approximately $22 million in revenue annually with student-athletes.

Across the country, universities and colleges seeking to compete at the highest levels in this new era will face difficult decisions. It is important to remember that in this moment there is an opportunity for athletic departments to embrace change, create efficiencies in their operations and adapt. Below are answers to questions about how UW Athletics will thrive in the new era.

 

Friends of Wisconsin Athletics:

There is a lot to celebrate on the Badgers campus this fall. We have begun construction on a new indoor practice facility, our fall sports activities are in the midst of successful campaigns and we are already looking forward to all of our winter sports taking place.

What is perhaps less visible is that we have entered a dramatic period of change in the history of college sports. While there have already been many changes in the area of ​​name, image and likeness (NIL), conference realignment and more, there is still much to come.
NCAA antitrust settlement

You may have read that on October 7, U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken granted preliminary approval of the House-NCAA settlement, paving the way for final approval of the $2.8 billion settlement paved in April 2025. This settlement is the result of multiple lawsuits and its impact will transform college athletics across the country and here in Wisconsin.

We are still determining the full extent of all the changes that will come our way, but here is what we can share today:

• Pending final approval of the settlement, college athletic departments will be allowed to share revenue directly with student-athletes. The maximum total revenue each school can share with student-athletes is initially approximately $22 million per year and is likely to increase over time.
• The settlement also provides for zero compensatory damages for Division I student-athletes who competed in 2016-21. The NCAA will make these payments through a combination of reserves and future revenue, thereby reducing future NCAA distributions to Wisconsin.
• The agreement limits the size of team rosters (previously there was no NCAA limit on roster sizes) and universities can also now award as many scholarships as there are roster spots (previously there was a limit on the scholarships schools award per sport). could). .
• Student-athletes will still be able to benefit from their NIL separate from the shared revenue that the Department of Athletics provides to certain athletes, but there will be new methods to ensure the legitimacy of such transactions.

We support revenue sharing with student-athletes as it provides a measure of stability in a current unstable environment. However, in order to do this successfully, it is crucial for us to make adjustments to the way we currently work and generate additional income through new opportunities. We continue to ask for your generosity and support for our program.

Facing challenges by leading with values
As we navigate these changes, we have the opportunity to continue positioning Wisconsin Athletics for success. Our high standards for student-athletes who represent our university with class and distinction will not change. Our high standards of delivering top performance on and off the field will not change either. Student-athlete opportunities will continue to be at the heart of everything we do. Our plan is to maintain our broad approach to supporting 23 sports, although the level of support we can provide for each program will need to change. Our overall goal will continue to be for student-athletes to succeed in our program and earn a degree from our premier institution.

The environment in which we compete will be very different in the future. The coming changes will force us and athletic departments across the country to make difficult decisions given the financial impact of the settlement. We will adapt to the changing dynamics, using our values ​​and goals of academic achievement and a competitive athletic experience as our guide.

Our employees are our strength
What has always made Badger Athletics special is our people. From our student-athletes and coaches to our athletic department staff and campus colleagues to our donors, alumni and fans, the Badger family has supported Wisconsin Athletics for decades and has helped us build an incredible foundation. We will need your support even more in the future.

This is a challenging, even difficult time in college athletics, but with every challenge comes an opportunity. We will position Badger Athletics to thrive in the future of college athletics. I ask for your leadership, generosity and continued support as we seize and seize the opportunity before us. Thank you for everything you do for Wisconsin Athletics.

GO WISCONSIN!


Chris McIntosh
Director of Athletics

 

Q: How will all of this impact the experience for Badger fans?

We are working hard to ensure Wisconsin Athletics will be competitive in the post-settlement world. As a result, we may be looking for new opportunities that would not have been considered in the past. Examples could include expanded advertising and sponsorship opportunities or an increased number of non-Badger sporting events at our facilities. We are confident that fans will continue to support the next generation of Badger athletes as we strive for new heights.

Q: Will UW change its athletic offerings?
A. UW Athletics plans to maintain its current offering of 23 sports. In addressing the financial challenges we face, we take a differentiated approach for each sport and entity.



Q: What will the changes be for student-athletes?
Despite the changing landscape, UW Athletics will continue to focus on broad competitive opportunities, academic success and the lifelong benefits that come from the collegiate athletics experience. The athletic department will continue to support the holistic development of student-athletes, although some aspects may look different than in the past.