Tennessee, Virginia Tech each guaranteed $4M for game at Bristol
Tennessee and Virginia Tech are days away from playing at Bristol Motor Speedway in The Volunteer State, and both will be getting a nice payday from it.
Each is reportedly slated to receive $4 million because each school sold 40,000 tickets to the game, according to Steve Megargee of The Associated Press.
If both universities sell out their grandstand seats, another $300,000 will be coming their way. Add it all up and it's more than a Capital One Bowl selection.
The matchup, called the "Battle at Bristol," is expected to draw over 150,000 fans, which will shatter the NCAA attendance record of 115,109, set by Notre Dame and Michigan back in 2013.
Although both programs have decent-sized stadiums, this experience will be like no other.
"It's something that will live with these individuals for the rest of their lives," said Tennessee coach Butch Jones.
Bristol, considered one of the most popular tracks in NASCAR, had an event just under three weeks ago, which didn't leave much time to transfer the facility into a college football field.
"We jokingly say we're a football stadium on steroids,” said Bristol Motor Speedway general manager Jerry Caldwell. “When you walk into the place, that's what you see. That's what it feels like. You walk in and you're completely surrounded by stands just like you would be at a football stadium."
In a new environment, one possible problem for the players is depth perception, like many NCAA basketball players experience with games held at NFL stadiums. However, it's a factor Virginia Tech receiver Isaiah Ford is anxious to see.
"I'm curious to see how the field will be and how far the stands and everything will be from the field," said Ford.
Though both institutions have been wanting this game at this facility, it won't be the first football game held at Bristol. The Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles squared off at the Speedway in 1961.
The Vols and Hokies clash Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.