Oregon's decision to open the 2022 college football season against Georgia in Atlanta initially drew criticism from some Ducks fans wondering why UO would want to play just 70 miles from the Bulldogs' Athens campus.



One answer is the game fits UO's scheduling philosophy. The Ducks aim to fill their three nonconference slots annually with one opponent from a Power Five conference, one from a Group of Five conference and one from the Football Championship Subdivision.



Another answer is the amount of money UO will receive.



Oregon is guaranteed to be paid $4.5 million to take part in the 2022 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, according to a term sheet released by UO Monday following a records request from The Oregonian/OregonLive. UO athletic director Rob Mullens signed the agreement July 23 and it was finalized Aug. 9.

Neutral-site games offer massive paychecks to lure brand-name teams who otherwise would rake in the proceeds from a home game -- when Oregon plays Auburn in the 2019 season opener in the Advocare Classic in Arlington, Texas, it will be paid $3.5 million -- and schools sign on because money generated by football is vital to the bottom line at virtually every major-conference school. In its budget for the 2018 fiscal year, Oregon estimated the football program would drive

of the athletic department's revenue.

That $4.5 million payout comes with demands for Oregon. Though UO will receive two, complimentary 20-person suites, it also will be allotted 6,052 tickets to sell, worth a value of $1.275 million, from the organization that runs the kickoff game, Peach Bowl, Inc.



"PBI strongly urges both schools to begin ticket sales for this game as early as possible in 2022," the term sheet reads.



As part of the agreement, Peach Bowl, Inc. has the right to use approved UO trademarks and logos to produce licensed merchandise. But the school will receive "all royalties as standard for use of University of Oregon-only marks."



Also in the agreement:





The game will take place Sept. 3, 2022

ESPN/ABC or CBS will have the first right to telecast the game

Georgia will wear red jerseys, and Oregon green

UO's team will be provided 125 free tickets to Atlanta's College Football Hall of Fame

"University of Oregon will have the right to pour its own isotonic beverage of Gatorade and be permitted to use all Gatorade equipment and towels on sideline."

For fans hoping to attend in four years, there is also this: Beer will be available for sale during the game, though sales will end at halftime.

-- Andrew Greif

agreif@oregonian.com