Then you and I are in violent agreement. I would much rather invest in making UW attractive as an institution - one that is growing and not shrinking, one that is filled with the brightest and best, one that innovates and takes risks, one that contributes to the growth of the state's economy and active retention of our kids (at least giving them the option to stay if they want), one where politicians don't meddle and is so involved in the fabric of the state that no legislator or governor would dare diminish or hamstring it. When you have that sort of juggernaut, the money for athletics and other stuff will come.
In terms of NIL, we simply cannot compete. I think we should actively retool our programs, facilities, and mindsets to accept the reality that the big guys are leaving (or have left) us behind (either actually or practically) and that we are destined for a modified version of the current FCS with other G6 teams joining us eventually.