Liberty University will pay Old Dominion an unprecedented $1.32 million to play the Flames in their 2018 home opener, according to records obtained by the Virginian-Pilot.
Three months ago, Liberty received the approval to join the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as an independent program for the 2018 season and one of the goal was to ensure a first game against a FBS rival.
Liberty athletic director Ian McCaw said the school can afford paying the the Monarchs the $1.32-million guarantee fee because they signed to a "seven figures" contract to play a game with a Power 5 school later in the 2018 season.