MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — The Wisconsin Senate has passed a bill to fund UW – Madison athletics.
After sailing though the state Assembly on a 95-1 vote last month, the Name, Image and Likeness legislation passed the state Senate Tuesday on a 17-16 vote, with 11 Republicans and 6 Democrats voting yes, 7 Republicans and 9 Democrats voting no.
Senators did not debate the merits of the bill which provides UW – Madison with $14 million in tax revenue for athletic facility costs and to offset money the school pays Badgers athletes in name, image, and likeness deals.
Badgers Athletic Director Chris McIntosh had testified in committee that the taxpayer funding is necessary for the university to stay competitive in a changing college athletics landscape. A spokesperson for Democratic Governor Tony Evers said he supports the goals of the bill.