Should the NFL Lose Its Tax-Exempt Status?

[Redfairen]

Times are good for the National Football League. Viewership is up. For the 47th year in a row, Harris Interactive named pro football the most popular sport in America. And with overall revenues north of $9 billion, the NFL is the most lucrative sports league on the planet.

That's not enough for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He wants to nearly triple the league's revenues to $25 billion by 2027—a mind-bogglingly large number. But here's an even more shocking fact: The NFL pays nothing in taxes on all those revenues. Not a nickel. And now the anti-corruption organization Rootstrikers wants to put an end to the NFL's free ride.

Over the weekend, Rootstrikers blasted out an email urging people to sign a petition in support of Sen. Tom Coburn's (R-Okla.) PRO Sports Act, which would ban big sports leagues from receiving tax-exempt status. "You know the NFL as the National Football League," says the Rootstrikers email. "But the IRS knows them better as the Nonprofit Football League—that's because the NFL has not paid any taxes since 1966 and average Americans are left paying higher taxes to make up for that lost revenue. Senator [Tom] Coburn is trying to change that, and we support his endeavor." Coburn's bill would ban pro sports leagues with more than $10 million in revenue from receiving tax-exempt status.

So, you might ask, how did the NFL score such a lucky deal in the first place? It's a classic tale of political influence.......

http://m.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/12/nfl-tax-exempt-status-rootstrikers-roger-goodell

[davidpdx]

1. I'm going to go back and read the story later

But I support the idea of revoking the tax exempt status of the NFL.

[LittleGirl]

2. YES n/t

[pipoman]

3. years ago...it is exemption for wealthy people

Playing with their money. .

[leftyohiolib]

4. omfg why the f are they tax exempt

[Blanket Statements]

5. Based on the story they lost money

Almost 100 million from the figure cited. They wouldn't pay taxes even if they weren't classified as a not for profit.

[Chan790]

6. Even as a football fan...yes.

No major sports league should be classified as an NPO unless it meets the requirements to obtain tax-exemption on the same process as any other NPO. All of the same rules should and would apply, such as limitations on executing compensation and the requirement to file financial disclosures.

[petronius]

7. Yes. And cities/counties/states should not be providing stadiums and

other business-specific facilities (beyond what is available to every tax-paying entity) without a guaranteed break-even-at-least outcome for the public...

[Doctor_J]

8. Coburn was on ESPN yesterday. The PGA also enjoys tax-exempt status

One issue he and I can agree on. I'm sure it's the only one.

[Triana]

9. IMO - yes. n/t

[iandhr]

10. Since the NBA, MLB don't have not for profit status

The NFL shouldn't either.

[Mz Pip]

14. They all should lose it.

I don't get why they are tax exempt in the first place.

[iandhr]

17. Thats my point

The NFL is the only major professional sports league in American with it.

The other three Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League do not have tax exempt status.

[Wilms]

11. ^

[tk2kewl]

12. The Giants should.

[ebbie15644]

13. Big football fan but no way should they be getting tax exempt status.

[Vashta Nerada]

15. YES.

[Brigid]

16. Non-profit status? Of course they should lose it.

And don't even get me started on taxpayers footing the bill for sports stadiums!

[Enthusiast]

18. Of course they should. The oil industry too.