Wisconsin AD: Athletic department 'at risk' if football season canceled

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez is warning that the school's athletic department could be in danger if the 2020 college football season is canceled.

In an open letter to fans Thursday, Alvarez said the university could lose more than $100 million if the upcoming campaign doesn't take place.

"Regardless of what our fall season looks like, we are facing a great financial challenge," Alvarez wrote. "I don't think it's an embellishment to say the experience we love as Badgers and the legacy of our extraordinary athletic department is at risk."

He added: "Our fall season will look nothing like we are accustomed to. Due to the current challenges, we are facing a potential financial revenue loss of more than $100 million from our $140 million budget."

In what would be a best-case scenario, Wisconsin's athletic department is anticipating a financial revenue loss between $60 million and $70 million if the Badgers play a conference-only schedule, according to Todd D. Milewski of Wisconsin State Journal.

It's still unclear what the 2020 schedule will look like if college football resumes this season. The Big Ten and Pac-12 recently announced they will play conference-only schedules, while several conferences have already canceled fall sports for this year.