Jeff Potrykus

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON - The University of Wisconsin athletic board Friday approved a spending authority for the athletic department of $132.4 million for the 2017-’18 academic year.

That figure is an increase of 8.7% from the current academic year.

Reasons for the jump include more resources for student-athlete development and welfare programs; increased financial aid costs because of paying the full cost of attendance; and higher salaries and fringe benefits for some coaches in the department.

Spending on capital projects is expected to be $11.37 million, an increase of 46% from the current year.

That money should cover new video boards and scoreboards at the Kohl Center and UW Field House, renovated offices at the Kohl Center and a concrete coating project at Camp Randall Stadium.

UW officials budgeted $41.5 million in media rights revenue for 2017-’18. That is up from $20.1 million.

Total revenue is expected to be $132,594,600, an increase of 8.6%.

As a result, UW’s net margin for 2017-’18 is expected to be $153,000.