The Nebraska Cornhuskers recently made waves by deciding to call off their home-and-home football series against the Tennessee Volunteers. This move, however, comes with a hefty price tag. According to Brett McMurphy from Action Network, the cancellation involves a buyout that will see Nebraska shelling out $500,000 for each canceled game.
It’s no small amount to just back out of a series, but let’s give the Huskers the benefit of the doubt. It’s not exactly an attempt to avoid facing Josh Heupel’s team from Tennessee. The reasoning behind Nebraska’s decision, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, is tied to scheduling logistics. Specifically, Nebraska wants an extra home game in 2027 due to anticipated reduced capacity at Memorial Stadium, courtesy of some scheduled renovations. This series was supposed to kick off in Lincoln in 2026, meaning Nebraska would have been traveling to Rocky Top in 2027.
Essentially, the Huskers hope to maximize their chances of filling seats in 2027, knowing that available space will be at a premium. Nevertheless, a cool million dollars doesn’t just appear out of nowhere, and that’s a significant investment for Nebraska as it seeks to regain prominence on the football stage. This is particularly true in an era where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are playing a pivotal role in shaping collegiate athletics.
