Montana Athletes Offered NIL Deals to Endorse Tester

Emails obtained by multiple sources reveal that Montana college athletes are being offered cash-through-Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to endorse Sen. Jon Tester, who is in a tight re-election race against GOP candidate Tim Sheehy. The offers, ranging from $400 to $2,400, were made by the group Montana Together via Opendorse.com. The initiative, which has stirred controversy, involves athletes creating videos to promote Tester’s campaign. While the campaign denies any knowledge of these actions, the ethical implications of using NIL for political endorsements are significant. Some athletes have expressed discomfort, particularly due to Tester's stance on women’s sports and transgender athletes. Despite the controversies, such NIL deals are not illegal under current Federal Election Commission regulations.