MISSOULA — Montana's football game in the 2029 Vegas Kickoff Classic comes with a jackpot payout.
The Grizzlies will receive a participation fee of $1.25 million from ESPN Productions, Inc., for competing in the game at Allegiant Stadium against fellow FCS power South Dakota State, according to a copy of the game contract obtained by the Missoulian and 406 MT Sports. That is a UM record for a payment from a single football game, athletic direct Kent Haslam said.
Once ticket sales reach $3.3 million, the additional revenue above that will be split equally three ways between UM, SDSU and ESPN Productions, which owns the event.
"This is a great opportunity to showcase our football program and this university," Haslam said. "To play at that stadium and earn the revenue we're going to earn