Should taxpayers fund NFL and other sport league salutes to Veterans?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:21:47 -0400

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/05/forget_deflategate_heres_the_real_nfl_scandal_di_i.html#incart_story_package

Forget Deflategate: Here's the real NFL scandal | Di Ionno

Tax dollars, not the NFL, pay for all that flag unfurling

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 10:24 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:24:44 -0400

The DOD (aka taxpayers) funds them as well as noted in another RP post. And I say no

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-the-dod-really-pay-the-nfl-for-honoring-troops

Should the DoD really pay the NFL for honoring troops? | RallyPoint

I'm not one that needs nor wants recognition for my service. I actually prefer to keep my service private within my own circle of family and friends. I have also served as a recruiter for the Army, so I can appreciate the advertising point of view. This being said, if a show of appreciation for service members is paid for by their own organization instead of its hosts, the NFL, which is a multi billion dollar industry, it lacks sincerity, does...

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 11 at 2015 10:29 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:29:58 -0400

I voted Veterans shouldn't be used for sports marketing, however, they should work together if anything.

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 11 at 2015 10:32 AM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:32:11 -0400

I voted no. If someone wishes to honor Veterans, we should not have to compensate them for the privilege. I'd prefer to just go unacknowledged.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 11 at 2015 10:50 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:50:29 -0400

F--k no! These professional sports players and their owners are millionaires and billionaires. They can afford to completely fund these events themselves!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 11 at 2015 10:51 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:51:34 -0400

Yeah... cause the NFL needs more cash. And its in the interests of all Citizens of the United States that we spend their money buying time and resources from the NFL for a 'salute to veterans.' Good decision there anonymous bureaucrat.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 12:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:16:18 -0400

It doesn't make it much of a salute to veterans by an organization if that organization is not funding it does it? That's like me saying hey you want me to buy you lunch? You say yeah and me saying let me get 40.00 so I can get us lunch, but its my treat. Makes no sense. If they can't do it, then let's get away from it, we have enough issues making money stretch.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 12:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 12:40:33 -0400

My first reaction to your question was "what the ... ?" Then after reading the article, it was "double what the ... !?"

Naive me thought these salutes to veterans and events honoring our servicemembers were tributes by sports teams and leagues when in reality they were nothing more than military recruitment/advertising tools by our services.

Who's more at fault here, the NFL for accepting the money ... or the services for advertising through a "salute to Veterans"?

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made May 11 at 2015 3:31 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:31:27 -0400

Sergeant Major Dan (stolen from LT Dan), Just an amazing bit of truth and given the financially motivated country for which we reside and fight, this is troubling given the public's knowledge. Much like myself, I honestly thought it was a public type service that we were recognized at such television and media day events in major sports. Just crazy! Having served and still serving 28 years, I always thought and believe ANY recognition of servicemember's was driven from the heart of the forum displaying such recognition.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 7:34 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 07:34:57 -0400

UPDATE: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/241677-gop-senator-presses-dod-on-pro-sports-contracts

GOP senator presses DOD on sports promotions

The Pentagon reportedly spent $5.4 million getting the NFL to honor the military.

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made May 12 at 2015 10:33 AM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Tue, 12 May 2015 10:33:56 -0400

These greedy pecker heads, should be paying, and also maybe consider donating some of that cash they get to charity's if its just 2% ie. cancer research, homeless veterans, you get the idea. That would be some good press for them maybe. Scouts Out

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 2 at 2015 11:00 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 11:00:48 -0400

Isn't that kind of like paying someone to play with a friendless child ?