I really do have to wonder about the NFL.
I - like 16.5 million other Americans - enjoy watching or at least following regular season NFL games. Hell, there’s only 16 of ‘em.
But I do have to wonder.
For instance, the NFL is allowing certain names on player jersey’s this upcoming season...which begins in 48 days, September 10.
“Unlike the NBA, which is allowing players to wear slogans on their jerseys, the NFL will stick to names once a final agreement has been reached with the players’ association. The program will continue for the entire season.”
The reason I compare the NFL and the NBA is because the NFL is a non-profit organization, while the NBA is not and has never been (MLB gave up its non-profit designation in 2007).
The NBA generates about $8 billion in revenue by itself, while its 30 teams generate a collective $57 billion.
The NFL generates $11 billion as a league each year. Via favorable tax laws, however, the NFL is able to tell the IRS that it makes just $9 million a year.
The power of the non-profit.
Alas, non-profits are forbidden by law from making political statements.
“Charitable nonprofits and foundations may not 'participate in, or intervene in (including publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for political office.' 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3). This prohibition applies to any and all candidates for federal, state and even local elections. See IRS Regulations, Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(3) (iii).”
So...is Black Lives Matter a real political campaign, or is it just a movement?
“A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making progress within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, by which representatives are chosen or referendums are decided.”
Boy, I’m not a lawyer...but I think the NFL is going to have some problems on their hand in a few weeks, and perhaps a few lawsuits.
All because of the jerseys.
Here’s what the NBA will allow players to wear on their jerseys:
- Black Lives Matter
- Say Their Names
- Vote
- I Can't Breathe
- Justice
- Peace
- Equality
- Freedom
- Enough
- Power to the People
- Justice Now
- Say Her Name
- Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can)
- Liberation
- See Us
- Hear Us
- Respect Us
- Love Us
- Listen
- Listen to Us
- Stand Up
- Ally
- Anti-Racist
- I Am A Man
- Speak Up
- How Many More
- Group Economics
- Education Reform
- Mentor
Do you really think a rich black man wearing those words is going to change anything?
I don't.
The average salary in the NBA is $7.7 million a year. The average salary in the NFL is $2.7 million a year.
The NBA is 74% black and the NFL is 68% black.
Both of those leagues are in America, a country that provides unbridled opportunities for individuals that work hard and want to succeed.
Race has nothing to do with it.
The players in those leagues know this. It's how they got there. If given the choice, not a single one of them would move to Canada or Europe to play.
It’s not because of race; it’s because of money.
And that’s why I really do have to wonder about the NFL.
Hopefully we’ll see some lawsuits to get rid of this Black Lives Matter bullshit, while at the same time forcing the league to pay its own way instead of using taxpayer money.
