UW has $1.75 million committed for canceled football games
MADISON – University of Wisconsin officials were scheduled to pay a combined $1.75 million to Appalachian State and Southern Illinois to play football at Camp Randall Stadium this season.
Those games were canceled, however, when the Big Ten announced that its fall sports teams would only play league games because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Appalachian State, which was scheduled to play UW on Sept. 19, was to receive $1.25 million. Southern Illinois, which was scheduled to play UW on Sept. 12, was to receive $500,000.
Both contracts include an “impossibility” clause that allows for either party to cancel the game in the wake of unusual occurrences such as “Acts of God and Nature and Acts of a Common Enemy.”
According to a Southern Illinois official, athletic director Liz Jarnigan has spoken to UW officials in an effort to reach a satisfactory financial agreement.
“I believe it will take some time to resolve,” the Southern Illinois official wrote in an email.
An Appalachian State official said he could not provide any update. A UW official would say only that UW hopes to reschedule the games.
Meanwhile, UW announced Thursday that the renovation of the seating area behind the south end zone of Camp Randall Stadium has been put on hold.
The project was set to start after the conclusion of the 2020 season and be finished in time for the 2021 opener. It includes premium club seats, loge boxes and indoor and outdoor hospitality clubs and was set to cost almost $78 million.
Big Ten officials have acknowledged COVID-19 could force the 2020 season to be canceled.
In announcing they have delayed the renovation project, UW officials have ensured Camp Randall Stadium is available for games in the spring.