Desperate Promoters Offer $75 Per Person to Fill Stadium

First Big 10 Championship draws sparse interest

Desperate to fill the stadium for the first annual Big 10 Championship game, promoters have taken out a Craigslist ad offering stand-ins $75 to attend.

The game, Saturday at Lucas Oil Field, where the Indianapolis Colts play on Sundays, is between Wisconsin and Michigan State. The ad, first reported by the college football website everydayshouldbesaturday.com, runs under the headline: Event Seat-Filler (Indianapolis/Downtown."

It reads: "Saturday night event in downtown Indianapolis needs seat-fillers. Total number of seat-fillers needed will vary based on crowd. Must tolerate loud noise and crowds. Must have red or dark green casual clothing to wear."

Wisconsin's colors are red and Michigan State's are green. The website contacted the party behind the ad, which wrote back in a letter identifying itself as "ICC," likely for Indianapolis Convention Center.

"Our client has asked for discretion about this opportunity, as "seat-filling" is behind-the-scenes aspect of this event production," read the letter. "On the day of the event event, we will designate a parking garage and validate your parking. Seat fillers will be assigned seats inside or near the event close to the event start time. You will receive payment at the end of the evening upon turning in the paperwork given to you at the beginning of the evening."

It was unclear who the "client" of the ICC is. It could be the schools, the Big 10 or even Fox, which is broadcasting the game.

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