Trump blasts NFL kneelers

[JonC]

So when is the appropriate time for a black man to protest?

Not on the field- NFL players
Not on the streets-BLM
Not on their Twitter handle-Jemelle Hill
Not on their own show- Stevie Wonder

You just want them to protest in their prayer closet where no one can see, right?

There are two issues - first that they represent the team. It is the same with our employees - if you wear our company uniform you represent the company.

Second, they are protesting social injustice by targeting the wrong thing. I could go to Arlington and urinate on a soldiers grave and say it is a free speech protest if human rights violations - and it may be that to me, but that does not change the fact I am dishonoring a soldier, all who sacrificed for our nation, Americans in general and our nation itself.

Those who object to these protests are not objecting to their protest of social injustice. They are rejecting their dishonorable actions against what our anthem represents - Americans.....us.

 

[Use of Time]

I agree....as long as they are not wearing the club's uniform.

But that's for their owner to say. Some allow it, some don't.

 

[Use of Time]

UOT what are you saying ? Fans should suck this up and keep watching ?

The NFL will most likely lose its tax exempt status over this. It will be very hard for small market teams to compete. Players and staff salaries are going to drop. Vendors are going to be put out of work.

Nice work. Go NFL. No Fans Left.

I watched a football game last night. Reports of the NFL's death are hilariously premature. Fans can do what they want. So can players.

I get tired of people using veterans as an invincibility cloak for discourse. The message I'm getting is that "veterans fought and died for your rights....but please don't exercise them. Just look at them but don't use them."

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I think you may be in a bit of denial about the state of the NFL. Ticket sales down. Viewership down. Not good.

 

[Use of Time]

I think you may be in a bit of denial about the state of the NFL. Ticket sales down. Viewership down. Not good.

I think you are overstating their demise as well.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

They simply won't survive losing the tax exemption.

 

[InTheLight]

They simply won't survive losing the tax exemption.

What tax exemption are you talking about? I thought the NFL gave this up years ago. Seems to me they have been surviving.

 

[InTheLight]

Found this:
Why the NFL Suddenly Wants to Pay Taxes
Apr 28, 2015
The NFL announced Tuesday it was voluntarily relinquishing its tax-exempt status. Here's what you need to know about the move.

Why in the world would the NFL volunteer to pay taxes?

Basically, the economic value of the exemption wasn’t worth the political and PR headaches that it created. In a memo to the league’s teams and members of Congress, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called the tax-exemption a “distraction,” and said it has “been mischaracterized repeatedly in recent years.”

Is there truth to this?

Yes. Political threats to revoke the tax-exemption of pro sports organizations hold populist appeal. After all, how can commercial outfits that sell expensive tickets and generate millions of dollars for owners and players be considered non-profit organizations – and thus exempt from paying taxes? The NFL is no charity.

Why the NFL Suddenly Wants to Pay Taxes

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Taxpayers fund NFL stadiums.

 

[OnlyaSinner]

They simply won't survive losing the tax exemption.

As long as the league keeps some semblance of their gigabucks TV deal, losing whatever tax exemption (if any) they now have will look like pocket change.

Nearly all stadiums and arenas for major-league level professional team sports are taxpayer funded. The NFL is in the spotlight, but that's equally true for MLB, NBA, MLS, NHL. Most of the minor league sites are the same.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Here’s How Much Money the NFL Rakes in From Taxpayers

 

[InTheLight]

Taxpayers fund NFL stadiums.

Sure, but that's not a tax exemption. And it's a little late to take away that benefit from the NFL owners. The buildings are built.

Hey, thanks for reminding me of another reason I loathe the NFL. Here in Minneapolis the owner of the Vikings got a sweetheart deal on US Bank Stadium. The facility cost $987 million. After the city and state contribution, after the NFL loans, after the naming rights, after being able to capture the parking revenues on game days, after the licensed products contribution, after personal seat licenses, it is estimated that the actual amount the owner will have to come up with out of pocket is between $150 million and $200 million. And I believe that money is spread out over 30 years (the amount of time he's promised not to move the team from Minneapolis.)

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Ok I stand corrected and you're welcome.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Six Hour Warning
This thread will be closed sometime after 4:30 PM Pacific.

 

[Alcott]

The message I'm getting is that "veterans fought and died for your rights....but please don't exercise them. Just look at them but don't use them."

Were the Nazis and Klansmen exercising their rights that our military fought for in their recent protest? Would you tell them " don't use them?" and how about Trump? Was he exercising his free speech in both these incidents?

 

[Bro. Curtis]

There is no right to free speech at a work place. You can literally get fired for things you say. This is not a free speech issue.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

This thread is closed.

Six Hour Warning
This thread will be closed sometime after 4:30 PM Pacific.