Posted on Jul 10, 2015
"McCain leads new effort to end paid NFL military tributes"
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From: Stripes
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WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain on Thursday proposed legislation that would stop Pentagon funding of troop tributes at NFL games.
McCain, along with fellow Arizona Republican Jeff Flake and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal, wants to add the prohibition to the Senate’s version of the annual defense authorization act after revelations last month that the league was paid nearly $7 million by the military over the past three years for the tributes.
The payments sparked public criticism and follow other recent problems with the military’s relationship to professional sports.
“Our amendment would put an end to that shameful practice and ask the NFL to return those profits to charities supporting our troops, veterans and their families,” McCain said on the Senate floor.
In one example, the Army National Guard paid the New England Patriots $675,000 for an advertising deal that included bringing a soldier on the field at halftime, he said.
The guard had similar contracts with 21 other NFL teams, according to McCain.
“What makes these expenditures all the more troubling is that at the same time the Guard was spending millions on pro sports advertising, it was also running out of money for critical training for our troops,” McCain said.
In 2014, the Guard was facing a shortfall of more than $100 million in the account used to pay its soldiers and potential delays in training, he said. Last year, the Guard came under fire from Congress and discontinued its sponsorship of NASCAR after spending $88 million over two years on a failed bid to increase recruitment.
Flake said he is still waiting for a full accounting on the military’s sports advertising agreements from the Pentagon.
Despite the controversy, Flake said the NFL tributes were done for the right reasons and warned about discounting the support that league teams give to servicemembers and veterans.
“The problem is when some teams are accepting money to do what has been termed ‘paid-for patriotism’ then it cheapens all the other good work that is done by these sports teams and others,” he said.
The legislation may be added as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, a massive bill that directs military priorities for the coming year. The Senate is expected to pass its version by next week.
http://www.stripes.com/mccain-leads-new-effort-to-end-paid-nfl-military-tributes-1.350715
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WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain on Thursday proposed legislation that would stop Pentagon funding of troop tributes at NFL games.
McCain, along with fellow Arizona Republican Jeff Flake and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal, wants to add the prohibition to the Senate’s version of the annual defense authorization act after revelations last month that the league was paid nearly $7 million by the military over the past three years for the tributes.
The payments sparked public criticism and follow other recent problems with the military’s relationship to professional sports.
“Our amendment would put an end to that shameful practice and ask the NFL to return those profits to charities supporting our troops, veterans and their families,” McCain said on the Senate floor.
In one example, the Army National Guard paid the New England Patriots $675,000 for an advertising deal that included bringing a soldier on the field at halftime, he said.
The guard had similar contracts with 21 other NFL teams, according to McCain.
“What makes these expenditures all the more troubling is that at the same time the Guard was spending millions on pro sports advertising, it was also running out of money for critical training for our troops,” McCain said.
In 2014, the Guard was facing a shortfall of more than $100 million in the account used to pay its soldiers and potential delays in training, he said. Last year, the Guard came under fire from Congress and discontinued its sponsorship of NASCAR after spending $88 million over two years on a failed bid to increase recruitment.
Flake said he is still waiting for a full accounting on the military’s sports advertising agreements from the Pentagon.
Despite the controversy, Flake said the NFL tributes were done for the right reasons and warned about discounting the support that league teams give to servicemembers and veterans.
“The problem is when some teams are accepting money to do what has been termed ‘paid-for patriotism’ then it cheapens all the other good work that is done by these sports teams and others,” he said.
The legislation may be added as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, a massive bill that directs military priorities for the coming year. The Senate is expected to pass its version by next week.
http://www.stripes.com/mccain-leads-new-effort-to-end-paid-nfl-military-tributes-1.350715
Posted in these groups: 
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NFL
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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I have to agree with McCain on this one. That $7 Million can be used by the military on much better things. The NFL makes a ton of money and should actually be funding these tributes themselves. Just my two cents
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MSgt David Haupt
After this he can end the Thunderbirds, Blue Angles, Golden Nights and Military bands. This would bring more money into the fight!
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PO1 Michael G.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs Unfortunately, sir, I just don't see the NFL paying for it themselves; last year they proposed making the performers at halftime shows pay a fee in order to perform. As much as I love football, the NFL as an organization is largely soulless.
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PO3 Nichalas Enser
Same here, COL Mikel J. Burroughs !
Always thought it was nice that the NFL was recognizing the services - and would *BET* that most folks think so, too. Like LTC Kevin B., am shocked and even a bit angry. The non-profit (another sad joke) NFL should do this out of respect, the U.S. Military should not have to pay for it.
Can understand paying for commercial airtime during major events for recruiting purposes, for which there should darned well be a discount, but... come on, to 'thank our military' should be just that.
Always thought it was nice that the NFL was recognizing the services - and would *BET* that most folks think so, too. Like LTC Kevin B., am shocked and even a bit angry. The non-profit (another sad joke) NFL should do this out of respect, the U.S. Military should not have to pay for it.
Can understand paying for commercial airtime during major events for recruiting purposes, for which there should darned well be a discount, but... come on, to 'thank our military' should be just that.
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I say pay for the advertising and the majority of the Soldiers whom either flyover or attend greatly appreciate it. I was awarded the privilege of attending g a Jaguars game free (along with my brother, his wife and son) along with ringing the GruntStyle bell to begin the 4th quarter. Guarantee this money spent (16 games x 16 weeks = 256 games which is 27000 a game) goes for fuel for flyovers, tickets, food and everything contained for the soldiers attending and likely a good majority of them stayed in the field to watch the games. Just saying 7M is less than 1% of the military budget
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