Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed a new name, image and likeness bill into law on Wednesday, giving UW-Madison another tool to navigate the rapidly changing world of college athletics. The legislation is designed to help Wisconsin stay competitive as schools across the country adjust to direct athlete compensation, revenue sharing and an NIL marketplace that has reshaped roster building in football and men’s basketball.
At the center of the bill is new state funding for athletic facility debt service. Under the law, UW-Madison will receive $14.6 million annually, while UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay will each receive $200,000. Governor Tony Evers used a partial veto to clarify that the money is aimed at existing debt service, not broader maintenance language. The practical effect is clear: by shifting some facility costs, Wisconsin can free up athletics dollars at a time when major programs are under mounting pressure to compensate athletes more directly.
The bill also formalizes several NIL-related rules for the University of Wisconsin schools. It exempts NIL contracts and related revenue-sharing details from the state’s open records law, a move supporters argued was necessary to protect athlete privacy and avoid giving competitors insight into Wisconsin’s financial approach. The measure also clarifies that student-athletes receiving NIL-related compensation through the university are not considered employees of the UW System.
The legislation did not move through Madison without resistance. It passed the Assembly by a 95-1 margin, but needed a much tighter 17-16 vote in the Senate before reaching Evers’ desk. Still, its signing marks a significant moment for Wisconsin athletics. In a college sports environment increasingly shaped by money, contracts and competitive infrastructure, the Badgers now have a law built to give them more flexibility in the NIL era.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Governor signs new NIL bill
Reporting by Ryan Harings, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
