Montana Lawmaker Drafting ESPN ‘College GameDay’ Legislation

A Montana state senator is working on a bill that aims to lure ESPN’s “College GameDay” to the state. 

State Sen. Ellie Boldman told 406 Sports the bill will be in the form of a joint resolution that she plans to introduce to the legislature at its next session in January. 

“Our resolutions often show support or encouragement to movements in the private sector,” Boldman said. “Bringing ‘ESPN College GameDay’ to the State of Montana is worthy of such an enthusiastic endorsement.”

Montana — along with neighboring Wyoming — has never been featured on ESPN’s popular college pregame show. While “College GameDay” typically hits FBS schools most weeks, the crew’s last visit was to FCS Jackson State. 

Missoula-based University of Montana has won the FCS national title twice, most recently in 2001, and is currently 5-3. Montana State, based in Bozeman, is 7-1 and trails only undefeated Sacramento State in the Big Sky Conference.  

Boldman said she expects the resolution will get through the committee in the senate and a version will also clear the Montana House of Representatives. 

“I have been in the Montana Capitol since 2011, and I know that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are deeply proud of our Montana football programs, and I feel confident this resolution will be met with enthusiastic support,” Boldman said. 

“I would imagine it will be mailed to ESPN ‘College GameDay’ officials with the signatures of all 150 Montana State legislators, representing urban, rural and Tribal communities. You can tell Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Pat McAfee and David Pollack to pack their bags. Montana is ready, and we’re coming for them.”