Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) is getting a boost from outside groups urging Montana college athletes to support the struggling Republican state incumbent.
The initiative takes advantage of the NCAA's new guidelines that allow college athletes to monetize their names and brands, essentially paying them to voice political endorsements.
“In early August, University of Montana players received an email from Executive Associate Athletic Director Gene Gee regarding a possible Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) contract.” Reported Lily Meskers is a track and field athlete and journalism major at the University of Montana. Montana Talk“The email forwarded by Mr. Gee stated that the opportunity was being offered to 'athletes attending college in Montana who are interested in spreading the word about Senator Jon Tester and causes they care about.'”
Meskers said the group offered players between $400 and $2,400 to record videos to be shared as Instagram reels. Montana Together instructed players to film videos “to inform viewers about Senator Tester's accomplishments in office and encourage continued support for these important policies.”
The effort has drawn backlash from athletes who believe Tester's voting record in Washington state doesn't match the record of the state he represents.
Meskers wrote that trends this election cycle are “eliminating some of Tester's votes that are unpopular with Montanans, including his vote against the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, which would have amended Title IX to ensure that only biological females, not males, can compete in women's sports.”
Tester was one of 51 Senate Democrats who voted against the Republican-backed bill.
Tester Campaign Denied Please do not provide Fox News Digital with any communications with or knowledge of any actions by Montana Together.
There is precedent for political NIL deals, but none appear to have generated the same frenzy as Montana Together's solicitation.
Tester is seeking his fourth term in the Senate and will face Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy, a Navy SEAL veteran, in November.
“Jon Tester sided with woke Washington Democrats when he voted to allow boys to participate in girls' sports. Now his dark money cronies are trying to pay students to hide his far-left voting record,” NRSC spokesperson Maggie Abboud said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Jon Tester is caught in a downward spiral, resorting to all sorts of despicable tactics.”
Bradley Jay is Capitol Hill correspondent for Breitbart News. Follow him on X/Twitter. translation:.
