MADISON, Wis. — Chris McIntosh, the director of athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, signed a five-year contract extension. He’ll remain with the school through at least 2029. 

Under the extension, McIntosh’s base compensation will be increased to $1.45 million with an annual $50,000 escalator clause. The university said this compensation model brings McIntosh’s compensation to the “median” of other Big Ten athletic leaders.

McIntosh’s extension also offers chances for additional, incentive-based compensation.

The contract runs through June 30, 2029 and will be funded by “a mix of Athletics program revenues and gift funds designated for Athletics held by the UW Foundation.”

“Serving as director of athletics at Wisconsin continues to be a privilege and I am grateful to Chancellor Mnookin for her support and confidence in me,” McIntosh said. “The college athletics landscape is changing quickly, and I am committed to helping our student-athletes achieve both academic and athletic success in this new environment. Along with our administrative team, coaches and staff, I look forward to tackling the challenges ahead and creating more opportunities for success.”

The university said the deal revises and extends his initial contract, which was a five-year deal with a base compensation of $1 million in 2024, for five additional years.

“Chris is an extremely effective leader at a time of unprecedented change across the collegiate athletics landscape,” Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin said. “In the midst of this shift, he continues to position the Badgers for long-term success in the top tier of college sports. I’m thrilled he’ll continue to be a Badger and look forward to his leadership in the years to come.”

McIntosh became UW-Madison’s athletic director in 2021. He has notably hired head football coach Luke Fickell and head men’s hockey coach Mike Hastings during his tenure.

He joined the athletics department at UW-Madison in 2014. A member of the Badgers Hall of Fame, “he captained the 1999 and 2000 Rose Bowl teams, two of the most storied teams in Badgers history,” the university noted. McIntosh was drafted into the NFL in 2000 and played for the Seattle Seahawks until 2004.

McIntosh holds two degrees from UW-Madison, including a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy analysis and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and applied economics.