For the sixth straight year the University of Wisconsin
athletic department will have a large payday as it heads to its 13th
bowl game in the last 15 years this year in Tampa, Fla., for the Outback Bowl.
UW will receive $1.6 million to cover travel expenses for
the football team and support staff, marching band, cheerleading squad and
members of the Athletic Board, like Chancellor John Wiley.
The rest of the money, an estimated $1.5 million that will
be determined after the game in January 2008, will be divided evenly among all
11 Big Ten schools, said Vince Sweeney, associate director of athletic
communications. The remainder will be used for UW athletic programs.
"The Big Ten has had a shared revenue philosophy for several
years, even in ticket sales," Sweeney said. "That's the way it works."
For teams going to the Rose Bowl, Sweeney said, the revenue
is an estimated $14 to $17 million.
The revenue will come mainly from ticket sales, merchandise,
sponsorships and television rights.
The Wisconsin Alumni Association is hosting tours with two
main options for those interested in going to the game, spokesperson Kate Dixon
said.
"We have almost 250 people booked as of today, and the
phones are still ringing," Dixon said.
The Deluxe Red Tour package, starting at $1,737 per person,
includes roundtrip charter air service and accommodations. It lasts from Dec.
29, 2007 until Jan. 2, 2008, and includes a New Year's Eve dinner with drinks
and entertainment.
The second option is the Badger Tour, starting at $455 per
person, which includes a land trip, two-night stay from Dec. 31, 2007 to Jan.
2, 2008.
"There's a package that's affordable, and everyone can have
a good time traveling with the Alumni Association," Dixon said.
Both packages include game tickets and the Badger Huddle, a
traditional Wisconsin-style pregame and tailgate sponsored by WAA in away
games.
The game will be broadcast at 10 a.m. Jan. 1 on ESPN, with the
University of Tennessee, Louisiana State University or the University of
Florida as likely opponents.
