Wisconsin NIL bill, sending $15M annually for sports facilities, heads to Senate

(The Center Square) – A University of Wisconsin name, image and likeness athletics bill that would send $15 million to the universities for facilities and remove most college athletics spending from being a public record passed the state’s Joint Committee on Finance 8-5 on Wednesday.

Republican Sens. Julian Bradley, Patrick Testin and Rob Stafsholt opposed the bill along with Democratic Sens. Kelda Roys and LaTonya Johnson.

The Republican-sponsored proposal is about NIL changes and rules while its impact goes beyond NIL. The bill passed the Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development earlier 3-2.

The bill will next head to the full Senate after it was approved 95-1 by the Assembly.

UW-Madison Athletics Director Chris McIntosh said in committee that the $14.6 million in funding annually to the school’s athletic department for facilities debt is essentially for the athletic department to remain competitive and supporting 23 sports ...