Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is receiving a boost from an outside group soliciting college athletes in Montana to endorse the embattled red-state incumbent.
The initiative exploits new NCAA guidelines allowing college athletes to monetize their name and branding to essentially pay collegiate athletes to make a political endorsement.
“In early August, athletes from the University of Montana received an email from Jean Gee, the senior associate athletic director, about a potential Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal,” reported Lily Meskers, a track athlete and journalism major at the University of Montana, for Montana Talks. “The email forwarded by Gee said the opportunity was available to ‘Athletes who attend college in Montana and are interested in spreading the word about Senator Jon Tester and causes you care about.’”
According to Meskers, the group offered…
