Despite $9 Billion Income, Why Isn’t the NFL Taxed?

by Matt Posted 2012/07/26 14:30:20

Related Topics: IRS, NFL, Baseball, Football, Major League Baseball, National Football League, Student, Salaries, Context, 2008, Network, Business Insider, Abuse

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36 votes
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	The NFL Deserves "Non-Profit" Status !	5 votes	14%
	This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !	16 votes	44%
	Somebody Got A Loge Over This One !	0 votes	0%
	In My Opinion . . .	15 votes	42%

“Why Does the National Football League Deserve Tax-Exempt Status?”

NPQ raised this question
in 2008. Back then, the NFL tried to get the American Society of
Association Executives (ASAE) to get a bill passed that would give a
special meaning to the NFL’s tax-exempt status—making them exempt from
having to reveal the names of NFL staff members earning six-figure
salaries, not to mention the seven-figure and, in the case of
commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Network president Steve Bornstein,
the eight-figure compensation packages. According to the NFL, complying
with the requirement of disclosing high-salaried employees—like every
other nonprofit has to do—would violate the employees’ privacy.

Like this Business Insider
piece, we questioned the nonprofit provenance of the NFL, suggesting
that there was much to make the IRS reconsider the NFL’s status. We
contrasted Roger Goodell’s NFL with Bud Selig’s Major League Baseball
which is incorporated as a for-profit. Business Insider
examined the definition of a 501(c)(6) and concluded, “It seems
inconceivable that the NFL is not ‘engag[ing] in a regular business of a
kind ordinarily carried on for profit.’”

The Insider’s blogger cites a paper by University of
Vermont law student Andrew Delaney, who concluded that the NFL was
functionally a “glorified tax shelter.” Delaney concluded, “If the NFL isn’t violating the letter of nonprofit status, it’s certainly violating the spirit.”

Much more at the link provided: http://nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/19946-why-...

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★Calliope★ 2012/07/26 14:57:28

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+7
Big money buying big favors.

This is HUGE.
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Boblawbla 2013/05/12 01:02:31

In My Opinion . . .

+1
American sheeple worship professional, as well as college football. We don't tax religious organizations for some reason. I think it makes perfect sense.

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Matt to Boblawbla 2013/05/12 03:56:10

+1
Those are gills on that ictus.

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gregaj7 2012/08/15 05:37:21

In My Opinion . . .

+1
The NFL is a non-taxable "Association". Only corporations are taxed.

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Tasine 2012/08/13 17:04:14

In My Opinion . . .

+1
I would guess the owners bribed some Congressmen sufficiently to get it done. I would also guess there is the little dickens called "redistributing the wealth" from those who earned it to those who could only earn it by playing a game well. In my view, professional sports has become obscene. I think they have no business being tax exempt.

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2468 2012/07/31 00:37:34

In My Opinion . . .

+3
This is how so many loopholes are created. A powerful group puts pressure and money towards their goal....only to get more power.

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Boblawbla to 2468 2013/05/12 01:04:07

Beaverton, OR? I live in Tualatin..... small world huh?

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goblue1968 2012/07/30 19:32:48

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+2
This is the first time that I was aware of this situation. I knew that years ago that Major League Baseball got away with not having to comply with certain interstate commerce law, but how does the NFL get this exemption by law, or by morality? Because they hold their services on Sunday, so therefore they get religious exemption?!

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Matt to goblue1968 2012/07/30 20:32:40

+1
The problem is worse than I thought !

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gunner 2012/07/29 14:29:02

In My Opinion . . .

+3
I think if we could follow the money, we would find a whole pile of politicians and who they think are their friends heavily vested and invested in the game of power and money. Funny how a new congressman can serve one term and come out a millionaire and a pension for life

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CHUCK 2012/07/29 01:17:31

In My Opinion . . .

+2
WHY TAX THEM THEY WOULD JUST PASS ON THE COSTS,, THEN OUR GOVERNMENT WOULD WASTE THE MONEY..

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Eric 2012/07/28 06:07:14

In My Opinion . . .

+3
We have screwy laws. One of the best ways to get rich in this country is to start a non-profits. Tons of money to be made-people donating get a tax write-off while you can pay yourself a very nice salary.

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Tasine to Eric 2012/08/13 17:07:20

+1
Look at all the non-profits under George Soros' thumb, practically ALL working at politics and political causes, all for the socialist ideals.

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Tasine to Tasine 2012/08/13 17:08:10

+2
PS. We have screwy laws because we elect screwy people and people with no integrity to be in charge of the money in this nation. Time to put an end to that.

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seadog6608PWCM 2012/07/27 16:46:59
Philo-CommieHater! 2012/07/27 15:09:05

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+3
Simple solution - CONSUMER STRIKE!! STOP BUYING TICKETS/PAY-PER-VIEW - hit these bloated ticks where they'll understand it - the pocketbook. It's OBSCENE that grown men who do not have jobs productive to society get PAID millions of dollars to PLAY A GAME!!!

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Tasine to Philo-C... 2012/08/13 17:10:22

+2
That's the way, but too many Americans' religion is sports, and they won't give them up for a single game, let alone for someone else's greed.

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Seonag 2012/07/27 11:41:41

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+3
NFL is a business and should be taxed!

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chgo 2012/07/27 04:22:37

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+1
I bet NASCAR pays little to no taxes too. They already get subsidies.

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Tasine to chgo 2012/08/13 17:11:56

+1
I was under the impression that those who make profits must pay taxes. How do the biggest money makers NOT have to pay taxes?!

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Old Soldier 2012/07/27 02:24:58 (edited)

In My Opinion . . .

+4
No one who is an EMPLOYER deserves "Non-Profit" status. The NFLis an employer, and if they have "Non-Profit" status, then all small business employers should have "Non-Profit" status!

BTW, whats the status of the NBA?

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Tom to Old Sol... 2012/07/27 15:18:29

+3
The NFL isn't an employer. The NFL is the facilitator organization, the teams are the employers (and they do pay taxes).

That's neither here nor there, still no reason the NFL is non-profit tax exempt.

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Old Sol... to Tom 2012/07/27 15:33:28

+2
Then you are saying that the NFL has no one in their employ, right?

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Tom to Old Sol... 2012/07/27 15:59:06

+3
Not anymore than any legitimate non-profit. Every non-profit has employees they pay, and most of their higher tier make stupid salaries, perhaps not as stupid as I've heard the NFL does but still.

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Old Sol... to Tom 2012/07/27 16:12:17

+3
Well, I don't see them as a charity, and I believe that only charitable organizations are tax exempt. They are Stretching the law somehow.

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seadog6... to Old Sol... 2012/07/27 16:48:58
Old Sol... to seadog6... 2012/07/27 17:48:14 (edited)

+3
Not exactly. If one steals, yet is never detected, then they have stretched the law to the point that they remained outside the law. Now, Does that mean that we should change the law on stealing? No, if the truth is about the thief is ever found, he should pay the pentality of the law he broke. If the NFL has placed themselves out side the law like the theif did, well, like the thief they should be brought back under the law in the same way the thief is.

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seadog6... to Old Sol... 2012/07/27 21:57:14
Tasine to Old Sol... 2012/08/13 17:13:08

+1
Heck, Soldier, the NFL even gets the selected city to pay for new stadiums, etc.

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texasred 2012/07/26 21:45:57

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+6
Well, isn't that a bunch of crap? I never knew this. I love football and I love the NFL, but they don't deserve non-profit status.

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Dwight-AFCL>dogsbody 2012/07/26 18:58:05

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+4
Some teams even play in stadiums built with local tax dollars. How is this possible?

How many entertainment organizations are getting by like this?

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Matt to Dwight-... 2012/07/26 19:07:43

+1
The stadiums are often paid for by local "sin taxes". Tax the smokers and then don't let them smoke in there. Tax the drinkers and then charge them $6 for a cup of beer.

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Dwight-... to Matt 2012/07/26 19:18:21

+2
BOA (Panther) stadium was paid in part by state tax dollars, fron NC. plus dollars from the City of Charlotte.

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ScottyG - Faqueue 2012/07/26 18:21:16 (edited)

In My Opinion . . .

+4
All entertainment should be taxed at 25%. We can no longer afford to throw away money on luxury.

How about all movies, video games, sports, concerts and any form of entertainment that takes an individual away from a productive life be taxed at 25%.

And all those who perform, produce, market or profit in any way from it.

We could pay off the debt in no time!

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teaputts to ScottyG... 2012/07/28 01:41:11

+1
How about adding windfall taxes to those movies who make such obscene profits? And what actor is really worth millions of dollars? I say tax their absurd salaries at windfall rates too! Maybe they'd stop running their mouths off.

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Matt to teaputts 2012/07/28 04:39:56

A lot of movie profits are eradicated by shooting "on location". (out of the country) A lot of former Hollywood has moved to Florida, where there is no state tax.

I am absolutely sure that a lot of production and paper companies involved are in the Cayman Islands or some other tax haven.

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Giantfan 2012/07/26 17:52:02

In My Opinion . . .

+2
Good question and the same goes for religious universities and churches.

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texasred to Giantfan 2012/07/26 22:13:02

+2
Well, I guess we need to include these, too:

American Civil Liberties Union
All unions, e.g. AFL-CIO, SEIU, NEA
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Amnesty International
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Anti-Defamation League
Association on American Indian Affairs
B'nai B'rith International
Children's Defense Fund
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
The Carter Center
Planned Parenthood
Center for Constitutional Rights
Committee for Missing Children
Doctors of the World
Human Rights Watch
NAACP
African Wildlife Foundation
American Humane Association
American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Animal Welfare Institute
Associated Humane Societies
Best Friends Animal Society
Born Free United with Animal Protection Institute
Defenders of Wildlife
Doris Day Animal League
D.E.L.T.A. Rescue
Delta Society
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Farm Sanctuary
Humane Farming Association
Johns Hopkins University
Marine Mammal Center
National Audobon Society
American Farmland Trust
American Forests
American Rivers
Center for Biological Diversity
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Cousteau Society
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Earth Island Institute
Earth Justice
Environmental Defense Fund
National Public Radio
Farm Aid
Greenpeace
Keep America Beautiful
National Parks Fo...

Well, I guess we need to include these, too:

American Civil Liberties Union
All unions, e.g. AFL-CIO, SEIU, NEA
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Amnesty International
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Anti-Defamation League
Association on American Indian Affairs
B'nai B'rith International
Children's Defense Fund
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
The Carter Center
Planned Parenthood
Center for Constitutional Rights
Committee for Missing Children
Doctors of the World
Human Rights Watch
NAACP
African Wildlife Foundation
American Humane Association
American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Animal Welfare Institute
Associated Humane Societies
Best Friends Animal Society
Born Free United with Animal Protection Institute
Defenders of Wildlife
Doris Day Animal League
D.E.L.T.A. Rescue
Delta Society
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Farm Sanctuary
Humane Farming Association
Johns Hopkins University
Marine Mammal Center
National Audobon Society
American Farmland Trust
American Forests
American Rivers
Center for Biological Diversity
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Cousteau Society
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Earth Island Institute
Earth Justice
Environmental Defense Fund
National Public Radio
Farm Aid
Greenpeace
Keep America Beautiful
National Parks Foundation
Ocean Conservancy
Wildlife Conservation Society
American Jewish World Services
American Red Cross
Fire Fighters' Charity
American Near East Refugee Aid
American Refugee Committee
AmeriCares
Catholic Medical Missions Board
Direct Relief International
Doctors Without Borders
International Medical Corps
Medical Teams International
PBS (Public Broadcasting)
Operation Smile
Housing Works
MANNA Food Bank
World Food Program
Children’s Rights
New York City Coalition Against Hunger
Amnesty International
Not for Sale (stop child slavery)
Partners HealthCare System
Museum of Modern Art
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
New York University
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
University of Southern Calif.
Metropolitan Opera Assoc.
Yale University
University of Southern Calif.
Columbia University
Duke University
Cornell University
University of Chicago
New York University
University of Pennsylvania
Stanford University
Princeton University

And that's just a start!
(more)

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Giantfan to texasred 2012/07/26 23:07:22

+2
You didn't have to list them because if they make money in my opinion they should pay taxes. What's fair to one is fair to all or should I say what's required of one should be required of all. How's that.

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texasred to Giantfan 2012/07/27 20:30:17

+2
That works for me.

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hayesml47 2012/07/26 17:43:07 (edited)

This Is A Blatant Abuse Of Corporate Power !

+1
It is a business so it should pay taxes just like religion!

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