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

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

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Friends of Wisconsin Athletics: 

There's much to celebrate about the Badgers this fall on campus. We've started construction on a new indoor practice facility, our fall sports are in the midst of successful campaigns, and we are already looking ahead to all of our winter sports being under way. 

What may be less visible is that we have entered a dramatic period of change in the history of college athletics. While many changes have already occurred with name, image and likeness (NIL), conference realignment and more, much is still to come.
NCAA antitrust settlement

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

We are still determining the full extent of all the changes that we will face, but here's 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 total maximum amount of revenue that each school will be able to share with student-athletes will initially be approximately $22 million per year and will likely increase over time.   
• The settlement also provides NIL back damages payments for Division I student-athletes who competed from 2016-21. The NCAA will make these payments through a combination of reserves and future revenues, reducing future NCAA distributions to Wisconsin.
• The settlement places a limit on the sizes of team rosters (previously there was no NCAA limit on roster sizes) and universities can also now provide as many scholarships as there are roster spots (previously there was a limit on scholarships schools could award per sport).
• Student-athletes will still be able to benefit from their NIL, separate from the shared revenue provided by the Athletic Department to certain athletes, but there will be new methods for assuring the legitimacy of such transactions. 

We are supportive of sharing revenue with student-athletes because it provides a level of stability in what is currently an unstable environment. However, to do that successfully, it will be critical for us to make adjustments in the way we have operated and to generate additional revenues through new opportunities. We also ask for your continued generosity and support of our program.

Facing challenges by leading with values
While we navigate these changes, it provides us an opportunity to continue to position Wisconsin Athletics for success. Our high standards for student-athletes who represent our university with class and distinction won't change. Our high standards to pursue excellence on and off the field also won't change.   Student-athlete opportunity will remain at the center of all we do. Our plan is to maintain our broad-based approach to supporting 23 sports, though the level of support we're able to offer each program will need to change. Above all, our overarching goal will continue to be for student-athletes to thrive within our program and earn a degree from our world-class institution. 

The environment in which we have been competing will be quite different in the future. The changes ahead will force us and athletic departments across the country to make difficult decisions given the financial impact of the settlement.  We will adjust to the changing dynamics with our values and goals of academic achievement and a competitive athletic experience as our guide.   

Our people are our strength
What has always made Badger athletics so special is our people. From our student-athletes and coaches to our athletic department staff and campus colleagues, as well as our donors, alumni and fans, the Badger family has supported Wisconsin Athletics for decades and 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 every challenge also presents an opportunity. We will position Badger Athletics to thrive in the future state of college athletics. I ask for your leadership, generosity, and continued support as we take hold of the opportunity at hand and run with it. Thank you for all you do for Wisconsin Athletics. 

ON, WISCONSIN! 
 
Chris McIntosh 
Director of Athletics 
 

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Q: How will all this impact the experience of Badger fans?
We are working hard to ensure Wisconsin Athletics will be competitive in the post-settlement world. As a result, we may seek new opportunities that would not have been considered in the past. Examples might be increased advertising and sponsorship opportunities or an increased number of non-Badger athletic events in our facilities. We are confident that fans will continue to support the next generation of Badger athletes as we reach for new heights.

Q: Will UW change its sport offerings? 
A. UW Athletics plans to maintain its current offering of 23 sports. We are taking a nuanced, sport-by-sport and unit-by-unit approach to address the financial challenges we are facing.
 
Q: What will the changes be like for student-athletes?  
Despite the changing landscape, UW Athletics will remain focused on broad-based competition opportunities, academic achievement, and the life-long benefits that come from the college athletics experience. The Athletic Department will continue to support the holistic development of student-athletes, though some aspects may look different than they have in the past.