NFL Rumors: League Returning $723,734 to US Government for Paid Military Tributes

By Jenn Loro - 21 May '16 12:22PM

NFL is taking public opinion seriously after a barrage of criticisms revealed that $723, 734 of taxpayers' money had been used to pay teams for sponsoring military tributes.

The league has been severely blasted for 'paid patriotism' after reports surfaced that the US Armed Forces have been spending a part of its budget for various messages of public support to the military during football games. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell promised to give that money back.

In a letter sent on Wednesday, the commissioner informed Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain of the league's decision as well as the report revealing that the US Department of Defense spent $5.4 million in contracts with 14 franchises from 2011 to 2014 which didn't sit well with the public growing wary of the defense money used for sponsored on-field patriotism rather than recruiting.

According to a report by ESPN, the decision was made after an audited review accounting firm Deloitte & Touche showed that from 2012 to 2015, teams were found to have received $723,734 for the said paid military tributes. Aside from returning the abovementioned amount, Goodell also promised to increase the level of transparency by frequenting the audit of NFL's marketing activities and agreements.

"In response to indications that some payments...were used for activities honoring troops, I directed that an audit be conducted on all contracts between NFL clubs and the military," Goodell said as quoted by Fox News Sports.

"The audit identified $723,734 over those four seasons that may have been mistakenly applied to appreciation activities rather than recruitment efforts. This amount will be promptly returned in full to the taxpayers."

Meanwhile, Senator John McCain praised NFL's self-corrective measure and even warned other sports leagues to follow suit and pledged to give back the money paid for sponsored patriotism.

"The other organizations - Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association and Major League Soccer - should also conduct an audit and return the money or donate it to service members, veterans and their families," McCain said in a statement as per Washington Post report.