Study: UW football key to state’s economy
MADISON – It is no secret that Wisconsin and other Big Ten schools stand to lose millions of dollars if the 2020 college football season is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The lack of college football in 2020 would also be costly for Madison, Dane County and the state.
Last fall, UW officials released an economic impact study compiled by the Philadelphia consulting firm Econsult Solutions Inc. According to that study:
❚ Each UW home football game generates approximately $16 million for the state's economy.
❚ Madison gets $1.7 million per year from hotel tax revenues associated with home football games.
❚ UW home games attract 585,000 visitors to Madison and the result is $78.3 million spent per year in the state. Of that $78.3 million, a combined 93% comes from lodging, food and retail sales.
Stroll near Camp Randall Stadium and you'll see many businesses that thrive on UW football games during late summer and fall.
Those include Lucky's 1313 Brew Pub, Jordan's Big Ten Pub, Sconnie Bar and Hotel Red, home of The Wise restaurant and bar.
Jordan's Big Ten Pub and Sconnie Bar have been offering takeout food during the pandemic. Hotel Red and Lucky's 1313 Brew Pub are temporarily closed.
UW has six home football games scheduled this season – Indiana on Sept. 4, Southern Illinois on Sept. 12, Appalachian State on Sept. 19, Minnesota on Oct. 10, Illinois on Oct. 31 and Nebraska on Nov. 21.
The Badgers also are scheduled to face Notre Dame on Oct. 3 at Lambeau Field.
The 2020-21 athletic department budget includes a projected $25.3 million in football ticket sales, although the budget was approved by the UW athletic board in February, before the pandemic effectively shut down all organized sports.
That number is dwarfed by the $42.463 million UW expects to receive in 2020-21 from Big Ten media rights.
UW also projects to receive $6.155 million from Big Ten bowl distributions.
Like many programs, UW missed spring practice because of the pandemic. UW coaches should learn soon if players will be allowed back on campus in June. The Big Ten has suspended all organized team activities through June 1, but league officials are expected to re-evaluate that suspension soon.
The original suspension, implemented on March 13, was set to run through April 6. It was then extended to May 4 and finally to June 1.
Ohio State's football facility opened this week for limited use by 25 coaches and staff members, and players are expected to begin voluntary workouts June 8. Indiana expects its athletes to begin training on campus in mid-June. Illinois announced Friday it expects athletes to begin returning to campus June. 3.
UW officials have not announced when they expect athletes to be able to return to campus. UW athletic director Barry Alvarez said this week on his monthly radio show that a six-week window would be sufficient for the staff to prepare the players for the opener.
"I think six weeks is ideal," Alvarez said. "I personally don't think six weeks is necessary …
"I think you could prepare a team in four weeks. In talking with Paul (Chryst, head coach), if it's four weeks, we can get ready in four. If it's three, we can get ready in three.
“If it's five, we spread things out and get ready in five. If it's six, you have the luxury of working that out.”