Montana student-athletes were offered thousands of dollars if they publicly supported Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who has advocated for the right of transgender athletes to compete in sports against biological women.
University of Montana track and field sprinter Lily Meskers said she and her fellow Grizzlies received the lucrative offer over the summer as part of a name, image and likeness deal.
Meskers, a junior journalism student at the Missoula campus, shared her experience. “Montana Talks” radio show, Tester and his supporters were alleged to have “grown increasingly concerned about his chances of winning re-election” because of a number of unpopular stances he has taken during his three terms in office.
Her stances included voting against the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, a bill that aims to “strengthen the law's existing protections for women, ensure a level playing field for female athletes, and defend the law from the Biden administration's radical regulatory plan.”
Incumbent Tester faces a tough contest with Republican candidate Tim Sheehy, a Navy SEAL veteran who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
According to Meskers, the pro-Tester political organization Montana Together approached the state’s universities and offered them a zero deal.
“Let us work together to inform your listeners about Senator Tester's track record in office and encourage them to maintain their support for these important policies,” the received email read. By National Desk. “Join our campaign to share your personal story of how Tester’s track record has strengthened Montana’s foundation and ensured a bright future for all who call it home.”
Other topics promoted in the proposal included LGBT rights, reproductive care, and the economy.
“This deal gave all varsity athletes the opportunity to participate and earn large sums of money,” Meskers wrote.
Meskers said Montana Together has pledged between $400 and $2,400 to have student-athletes create four unscripted Instagram Reels in support of Democrats.
University of Montana student-athletes received a forwarded email from Senior Associate Athletic Director Gene Gee asking them to “spread the word” about Tester and “causes they care about.”
Tester was criticized by former Auburn University football coach and now Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who introduced the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act.
Tester voted against the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act … then his supporters tried to bribe football players to support him,” Tuberville It is written on X. “Jon Tester does not represent Montana. He represents DC and the Left Coast. All posturing and no cattle.”
Meskers said some of her teammates were shocked by the “strange request” given Tester’s track record in women’s athletics.
“I am all in favor of biological women being able to compete fairly in women’s sports, and this proposal seems to be directed solely at one political party,” senior track athlete Katie Whitehurst told Meskers.
Meskers also cited former collegiate swimming star and now women’s sports activist Riley Gaines, who organized a rally in Whitefish, Mont., which is about two-and-a-half hours north of the school.
Gaines questioned Tester's voting record, saying, “This is the most anti-woman, anti-reality action by this administration…The people of Montana…instinctively know that men and women are different.”
Athletic director Kent Haslam defended his department’s decision to send the email to athletes because the offer came from the school’s NIL company.
“I received an email at the end of July from Matteo from OpenDoors stating there are zero opportunities for student-athletes. OpenDoors is one of the few companies that works in the college athlete zero space and connects athletes with zero opportunities,” Haslam told “Montana Talks.”
“Matteo said an organization called Montana Together was using OpenDoors to find athletes who were interested in spreading the word about Senator Jon Tester and the causes they (athletes) were interested in. Athletics sent the opportunity to all athletes, if any were interested. Athletes could contact Mateo for more information,” he said.
Collegiate student-athletes can earn money through NIL deals in two different ways, either through general requests from schools or if the organization requests it from a certain athlete or team.
Haslam said it is the department’s practice to forward general requests when they are received.
Tester has attempted to appeal to “solidly red state” voters throughout his campaign.
In July, Tester was the second senator to met with President Joe Biden To drop out of the presidential race.
On August 6, his campaign launched a “Republican-led” group called “Republicans for Tester”, supporting the senator with 100 initial signatures.
Tester confirmed on the final day of the Democratic National Convention last week that he would not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
“I'm not going to be endorsing anyone for president — and I'll tell you why,” Tester said during a press conference in Hamilton, Montana, according to the report. Helena Independent Record. “Two reasons: No. 1, I'm focused on my race. And No. 2, people want to nationalize this race, and it's not about national politics. It's about Montana. It's about making sure we have someone from Montana in Washington, D.C., who represents Montana's values. And so that's the reason.”
Sheehy, on the other hand, is enjoying the support he has received in this closely watched race. Trump holds a fundraising event to help a retired Navy SEAL soldier before a rally at Montana State University's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.
