The University of Wisconsin athletic department is projecting a revenue shortfall of more than $4 million for this fiscal year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That estimate, provided by a department spokesperson, accounts for 2.5% of a $159 million 2019-20 budget for the self-sustaining athletics enterprise.
The early end to the men's basketball season — all of the NCAA tournament was canceled, as was most of the preceding Big Ten championship — means millions of dollars in lost revenue for UW.
But financial data from previous years indicates that wiping out the rest of the season for spring sports will result in a larger drop in expenses than revenues in those areas.