UW-Madison baseball coming back? (Updated: Maybe not for now, see post #10)

[Invader3K]

This tweet says that Bud Selig is supporting the idea of a return of the baseball program to UW-Madison.

 

https://twitter.com/SST_WI/status/766697772032589824

[patrickgpe]

i don't see how that would make a difference. Didn't UW lose baseball because of title 9? UW would have to figure out how to balance the womens program with the addition of new student athletes.

 

I understand that baseball isn't a money maker for UW but with the Big 10 network, i doubt $ is the problem, despite the era UW is in with budget cuts.

[1992casey]

Title IX was part of it, but in 1991, the athletic program was in debt and struggling to make ends meet. The financial situation is a lot better now.

[LouisEly]

"Hello, Under Armour, this is Barry Alvarez calling..."

 

The point remains though that they will likely have to add more women's scholarships for something to meet the Title IX required balance, so it's not as simple as the economics of a baseball team. And with the budget cuts, from a political standpoint, it would have to be proven to be cash flow neutral at worst or UW will catch holy hell for slashing budget for other academic programs but adding a sports program that is a financial loss.

[NeedMoreFans]

The point remains though that they will likely have to add more women's scholarships for something to meet the Title IX required balance, so it's not as simple as the economics of a baseball team. And with the budget cuts, from a political standpoint, it would have to be proven to be cash flow neutral at worst or UW will catch holy hell for slashing budget for other academic programs but adding a sports program that is a financial loss.

 

While I agree with the public perception of adding baseball plus an equal number of women's scholarships, the athletic department does not receive any revenue from the university and in fact, it gives money to the university. They often receive aid from the state for capital projects, but the department is largely self-sufficient.

 

That being said, there are donors lined up to add baseball, but Barry had repeatedly stated it's not happening.

[Invader3K]

I have to believe if Bud Selig is out front advocating for this, he is probably willing to donate money himself, and probably has others lined up to do the same.

[DHonks]

i don't see how that would make a difference. Didn't UW lose baseball because of title 9? UW would have to figure out how to balance the womens program with the addition of new student athletes.

 

I understand that baseball isn't a money maker for UW but with the Big 10 network, i doubt $ is the problem, despite the era UW is in with budget cuts.

 

Title IX does not end men's sports programs. Lazy administrations that prefer cutting a men's sport to the more logical solution of increasing the revenue pie are what causes men's programs to die. Not a Wisconsin fan by any means, but would like to see a second D1 program

[trwi7]

If he and others (Lew Wolff maybe?) are willing to donate a buttload of money to get the program started, then sure. Without that, it's not happening.

[paul253]

They don't necessarily have to add an equal number of women's scholarships. They could cut another men's sport or two and keep the total number the same.

[Patrick425]

Turns out the tweet regarding Bud Selig supporting bringing back baseball to UW was a misunderstanding:

 

https://sconniesportstalk.com/2016/08/19/statement-on-bud-selig-report/

[JohnBriggs12]

If he and others (Lew Wolff maybe?) are willing to donate a buttload of money to get the program started, then sure. Without that, it's not happening.

 

Selig has a boatload of money and more. His college pal was Herb Kohl, and UW has the Kohl Center. What better legacy for Bud than a baseball venue at his alma mater named after him?

 

The need to get out a statement explaining a "misunderstanding", tells me that it's quite possible there is something going on behind the scenes that all parties want to keep under wraps for now.