Did you know that NFL profited by patriotic displays?

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 17:09:35 -0500

Roger Goodell said Wednesday that the NFL will refund the money it has received to conduct acts of “paid patriotism,” reports Eben Novy-Williams of Bloomberg News.

The NFL — along with several other professional sports leagues — has been accused of profiting from the events it puts on to honor US military members before and during games.

According to Arizona senators Jeff Flake and John McCain, the Pentagon has provided $9 million for staged patriotism events over the past four years.

“It is hard to understand how a team accepting taxpayer funds to sponsor a military appreciation game, or to recognize wounded warriors or returning troops, can be construed as anything other than paid patriotism,” a report by the Arizona Republicans said.

NFL teams were the biggest beneficiaries involved in the “paid patriotism” acts, as they were given over $6 million to conduct events involving full-field American flag displays, enlistment and re-enlistment ceremonies and reunions between service members and their families.

Roger Goodell: NFL will refund money received for ‘paid patriotism’

Roger Goodell said Wednesday that the NFL will refund the money it has received to conduct acts of “paid patriotism,” reports Eben Novy-Williams of Bloomberg News. 

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 4 at 2015 5:14 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 17:14:50 -0500

I didn't know this, thanks for sharing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 5:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 17:25:25 -0500

That is going to be A LOT of money coming back to the Pentagon.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 4 at 2015 6:18 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 18:18:36 -0500

From what I've read, many of the pro sports venues are reversing charging for patriotic displays as well as refunding what they've collected, which is a good thing. Unsure how it "actually" became that way anyway...

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 5 at 2015 12:11 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 00:11:09 -0500

Let's not forget the NFL is not a 501(c)3. Every, single thing they do is sponsored. Such grand-standing only served to off-set their operating costs --and was profitable. Another pre-game enlistment/re-enlistment ceremony? Hell yes! The fact that the DoD paid for such tomfoolery is really what bothers me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 11:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:51:44 -0500

Explains why we always got "X" number of "free" tickets to certain games.