Montana senator's re-election campaign is providing college athletes with thousands of dollars through NIL deals to endorse him.
Jon Tester's campaign denied any involvement with 'Montana Together'.
According to emails shared with Planet Chronicle Digital, Montana college athletes are reportedly being offered cash to create endorsement videos for Sen. Jon Tester during his 2024 campaign.
According to Kent Haslam, the University of Montana's athletic director, a group known as "Montana Together" recently paid athletes at UMT to promote Tester.
In July, a representative from "Montana Together" made initial contact through Opendorce.com, a platform for athletes to secure NIL deals. NIL is a policy approved by the NCAA in 2021 that enables college athletes to monetize their content.
The Democratic senator's group offered student athletes between $400 and $2,400 for a video promoting the senator, as revealed by emails shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.
"Montana Together is seeking NIL deals with college athletes in Montana who are passionate about spreading the word about Senator Jon Tester and causes they care about. Can you help me get this information to individuals who may be interested in applying for this campaign?"
The deals were presented in the form of: $400 for two scripted videos, $800 for two unscripted videos, and $2,400 for four unscripted videos.
The group's actions were not known to the tester's campaign and they are not in contact with them, according to a statement made to Planet Chronicle Digital by the campaign.
Upon receiving the email, Lily Meskers, a UMT track athlete and journalism major, immediately felt frustration.
"Upon receiving the NIL deal offer, I felt frustration immediately. I questioned, "Why would someone seek my endorsement when their values directly contradict my own?" Tester's vote against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act goes against everything I have worked for as a female athlete. This vote opens the door for biological men to take away scholarships, medals, and roster spots from female athletes. My teammates and I share this frustration."
The NRSC, led by Montana's Republican Senator Steve Daines, pointed out that Tester was among the 51 Democrats who opposed a Republican-backed amendment prohibiting biological males from participating in female sports.
"Jon Tester's far-left voting record is being covered up by his dark money allies, who are trying to pay off students to keep it hidden," NRSC spokeswoman Maggie Abboud stated. "Jon Tester is spiraling and resorting to underhanded tactics to keep his record hidden."
"Montana Together" could not be reached for comment by Planet Chronicle Digital at the time of publication.
politics
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