Wisconsin Athletics Implements Pay Cuts, Work Reduction Plan

The Univ. of Wisconsin athletic department is "implementing a 'compensation and work reduction plan' in an effort to offset the losses brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, a move that includes voluntary pay cuts for top-earning personnel" such as AD Barry Alvarez, football coach Paul Chryst and men's basketball coach Greg Gard, according to JR Radcliffe of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The plan asks the school's "25 highest-earning employees to take a 15% reduction in pay over six months," though that group "would not incur a reduction in work hours." Meanwhile, the majority of employees who participate outside of this smaller group will "see work hours reduced by 20 or 50%" from May 18-July 25. That group includes "approximately 350 employees" who now can "apply for expanded unemployment benefits." The department "aims to save" about $2.8M with the measures (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 5/10).