Three state legislators want to know why their constituents lack access to certain Badger sporting events, asking for an audit of the contract between the Big Ten Network and Wisconsin Athletics Thursday.
State Reps. Dave Travis, D-Westport, Frank Boyle, D-Superior, and Mary Hubler, D-Rice Lake, sent a letter to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee requesting that a comprehensive"" audit be conducted on the projected expenditures and revenues of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at UW-Madison.
The audit must also include the amount of revenue generated by the contract with the BTN, Travis said in a statement. He said the lawmakers requested the audit after numerous complaints from constituents not able to watch the Wisconsin-Ohio State football game Nov. 3.
The Wisconsin-Minnesota game this weekend will also only be available on the BTN.
""People are furious about not being able to get Big Ten sports,"" Travis said.
According to Travis, UW Athletics had previously been able to broadcast replays of the games on public television, but the option is no longer available under the current contract.
Travis said since taxes fund the UW System, residents have a right to access the sporting events.
The audit request also asks if any revenue from games broadcast on the BTN could be passed along to residents so they could watch the games under alternative means.
The co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee had not yet given a response on whether they would allow the audit to move forward, Travis said in the statement.
Vince Sweeney, associate athletic director for external relations, said the UW Athletic Department would cooperate fully with the audit.
""We'll certainly give them any information they are looking for,"" Sweeney said.
According to Sweeney, there are no plans currently to replay athletic events on public television.
The BTN was unavailable for comment as of press time.
