The article discusses how University of Montana student-athletes were offered thousands of dollars to publicly endorse Democrat Senator Jon Tester, who has advocated for transgender athletes’ right to compete in sports against biological women. Lily Meskers, a member of the Track & Field team at the university, revealed the lucrative offer as part of a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. This was part of an attempt by Tester and his backers to garner support and counter his unpopular stances on issues such as voting against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
Montana Together, a pro-Tester political organization, reached out to universities in the state, offering NIL deals to student-athletes to endorse Tester and various causes he supports. The offer included financial compensation ranging from $400 to $2,400 for creating Instagram reels in support of the Democrat senator. While some athletes were surprised by the request, others were supportive of Tester and the causes he represents. Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville criticized Tester for voting against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and accused his supporters of trying to bribe athletes.
Athletic Director Kent Haslam defended the department’s decision to forward the email offering NIL deals to student-athletes, explaining that it came from an NIL company used by the school. The opportunity was presented to all athletes, regardless of political affiliation, giving them the option to participate if interested. Tester, who is facing a tough re-election battle against Republican nominee Tim Sheehy, has tried to appeal to Montana voters by launching initiatives like the “Republicans for Tester” group to garner bipartisan support.
Tester’s efforts to reach out to voters in the predominantly red state of Montana include distancing himself from national politics and focusing on representing Montana values in Washington D.C. He has made attempts to show bipartisan support by launching initiatives like “Republicans for Tester.” In contrast, his opponent Sheehy has received backing from former President Donald Trump and has been actively campaigning to win the closely watched race. Despite facing criticism for his stance on issues like women’s sports, Tester remains focused on his re-election campaign and appealing to Montana voters.
