MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — A report shows the Wisconsin Badgers football teams’ struggles could cost the state hundreds of millions.
Researchers at Madison’s Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy project the city of Madison could lose $160 million in local spending, with the state of Wisconsin losing $280 million if fans stop spending on tickets, food, travel, and merchandise.
The report says football profits could be cut by $20 million, about a third of the team’s total from last year. Some of the revenues generated by Badger football are typically used to fund non-revenue sports at UW – Madison.
If the university decides to fire head football coach Luke Fickell, he would then be owed tens of millions in buyout money.