UW-MADISON
(WTAQ-WLUK) — When the Wisconsin Badgers take Lambeau Field on Sunday, the players will be earning a salary partially provided by state taxpayers.
A law that Gov. Evers signed in April after passing through the Senate (17-16 vote) and Assembly (95-1 vote) has taken effect, which gives UW-Madison $14.6 million per year, and UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee each $200,000 per year. The universities are to use the money to pay off their athletic facilities, but it would then allow them to reallocate the money toward paying players.
“Championship-level athletics does more than just win games, they also fuel economic growth and statewide pride,” said State Rep. Alex Dallman, R-Markesan, back in February when the bill passed in the Assembly. He authored the bill. “I am proud that my bill, AB 1034, to regulate Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in Wisconsin was passed with overwhelming support by my legislative colleagues.”
Proponents cite economic benefit, Wisconsin pride
“The NIL era is here and Wisconsin must continue to stay competitive, attract top talent, and remain an economic powerhouse,” said Dallman in February. “This bill will help do just that.”
Dallman and several other state lawmakers who supported the bill.
“Wisconsin Athletics plays a vital role in campus life and statewide pride—providing lifechanging opportunities for students, generating significant economic activity, and uniting more than two million Badger fans each year,” the association said. “(The new law) helps ensure that this legacy remains strong, fair, and forwardlooking in the NIL era.”
UW-Madison has indicated it may have needed to cut athletic programs if the bill didn’t pass.
Several State Senators who voted against the bill speak out
The bill was mixed within each party – seven Republicans and nine Democrats voted against the bill in the State Senate.
“Spending $15 million to pay a 19-year-old to play football didn’t seem to me to be a priority versus everything else the state has on its plate,” said State Sen. Jamie Wall, D-Green Bay.
Added State Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken, “There still remain a number of questions and NIL still remains this kind of giant pit that a lot of money is going into without a whole lot of answers or accountability.”
Both also mentioned that the legislation was rushed through the chambers without much of a chance to review, and that it opens the door to all sorts of unknowns.
“If there’s an Ohio State receiver who enters the transfer portal, do we now have to come into special session?” said Wall. “Where does this end?”
Several other states also provide funding to university athletic programs, including North Carolina, Connecticut and Louisiana.
Wisconsin ranks No. 37 in football roster cost, according to The NIL Standard
The NIL Standard ranks estimated football team valuations of money being paid to its rosters.
- No. 1 overall: Texas, $49.3 million
- No. 2 overall: Oregon, $43.4 million (No. 1 Big Ten)
- No. 7 overall: Notre Dame, $35.1 million (Wisconsin’s opponent on Sunday)
- No. 37 overall: Wisconsin $21.8 million
Law also limits what college players can endorse
The law also prohibits college players from endorsing:
- Cigarettes
- Tobacco products
- Electronic vaping devices
- Alcohol
- Gambling
- Banned athletic substances
- Any illegal substance or activity
The law also exempts many athletic department records from public record laws.
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