That is how you get them to act in a desired manner. This went way further than athletics! This is Black politics, and an example of what Black athletes can do for a movement. Student-athletes have so much influence! Money talks, bullshit walks. The athletic department was at risk of losing a seven figure pay out for Saturdays game. Jonathon Butler, who was on the 8th day of his hunger strike would not have been able to do this by himself. The African Americans students were upset. The football team got involved and showed solidarity by threatening to boycott all football activities until Tim Wolfe, U of M system president resigned. The racial issues hit the national spotlight and a few days later, Wolfe is gone.
That is power.