.Northern Illinois stunned No. 5 Notre Dame final weekend on a last-second field goal to mark university soccer's very first huge trouble of 2024. For the Huskies, it's a win they'll be commemorating for many years ahead. For the Fighting Irish, it's a season-crusher. To lose the home opener to a little school from an extremely poor conference was a humiliation for Notre Dame.Especially because they spent NIU $1.4 thousand to perform it.This shines an illumination on some of the lengthiest as well as most costly customs in university volleyball: guarantee activities. They're additionally gotten in touch with "money video games," "income games," or, as I like to phone them, "buy full weeks." An expensive (and high-risk) traditionFor years, in the first handful of weeks of the season, major college football institutions have actually paid for much smaller schools ahead to play them in their house.In Week 1 alone, much more than $35 million was actually invested across at the very least 55 warranty activities, depending on to Front Workplace Sports. Alabama created the most significant inspection to its own rival, Western side Kentucky, for a tremendous $1.9 million. WKU shed that activity 63-- 0, however they possibly attacked the bank on the bus adventure home and most likely won't hesitate about it.In Week 2, three colleges-- Western Michigan, Middle Tennessee, as well as Utah State-- got payouts bigger than NIU's $1.4 million. They lost by a combined credit rating of 156-- 3, yet they take away a total amount of $4.85 thousand in the process.It's normally a good deal for each staffs. The little colleges acquire a salary, the significant universities receive another home activity to milk gameday revenue. The little college gets to use the huge stage and get nationwide visibility, the huge one gets a dish on the schedule to begin the year in a sporting activity without preseason. So all's effectively and great until the lower crew decides to show out as well as draw the upset.