The Clarks Love Money More than Vets
 

Apologies if posted before, and maybe this ought to be in the DC section.

Washington Post reports that the Federal Military has paid millions to the NFL to "salute" veterans. The Clarks took $250,000. So much for the NFL saluting soldiers out of the goodness of their hearts.

The Chiefs don't need the money. They should send that cash back to the military to buy body armor for active service guys, so we wouldn't have so many "wounded warriors" to salute. This whole thing makes me more cynical than I already am, if that's even possible.

Just salute veterans because its the right thing to do, and pick up the goddamn check. They put their lives on the line for us, it's the least a tax-exempt, multi-billion dollar enterprise like the NFL can do.

I didn't get a harrrump outta that guy......

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...rss=rss_sports

During timeouts at home games, the New York Jets air a Hometown Heroes segment in which a U.S. soldier or two are shown on the Jumbotron and everyone thanks them for their service. The soldiers and three friends get seats in the Coaches Club. It’s a nice salute.

It’s also funded by U.S. taxpayers.

According to Christopher Baxter and Jonathan D. Salant of New Jersey Advance Media, the Department of Defense paid 14 NFL teams $5.4 million from 2011 to 2014 for salutes like the Hometown Heroes segment and other advertising at professional football games. All but $100,000 of that money came from the National Guard.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) called the spending wasteful and disingenuous, Baxter and Salant report:

“Those of us go to sporting events and see them honoring the heroes,” Flake said in an interview. “You get a good feeling in your heart. Then to find out they’re doing it because they’re compensated for it, it leaves you underwhelmed. It seems a little unseemly.” …

“They realize the public believes they’re doing it as a public service or a sense of patriotism,” Flake said. “It leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”

Flake added that he has no problem with the National Guard spending money on recruitment advertising at football games. “The problem, he said, was spending taxpayer money on a program that, on its face, appeared to be a generous gesture by a football team,” Baxter and Salant write.

The story goes on to detail what the National Guard gets in return for its spending:

Aside from the Hometown Heroes segment, the agreements also included advertising and marketing services, including a kickoff video message from the Guard, digital advertising on stadium screens, online advertising and meeting space for a meeting or events.

Also, soldiers attended the annual kickoff lunch in New York City to meet and take pictures with the players for promotional use, and the Jets allowed soldiers to participate in a charity event in which coaches and players build or rebuild a playground or park.

The Jets also provided game access passes.

A National Guard spokesman said the agreement with the Jets helps promote and increase “the public’s understanding and appreciation of military service in the New Jersey Army National Guard increases the propensity for service in our ranks and garners public support for our Hometown Team.” A Jets spokesman says the team works with the National Guard just as it works with any other sponsor to tailor in-game advertising.

According to the report, the Colts and Ravens are among the other teams that have similar agreements with the National Guard.

:harumph:

I love my own money more than vets and I am a vet of 23 years.

So who cares.

Money Talks.

I've gotta admit, I've always found the idea of saluting vets to be a good one, albeit a huge PR stunt for the team. I mean, I'd like to believe they do it out of the goodness of their hearts and genuine appreciation for vets and their sacrifices, but there's always the "look how much we care" angle that I can't totally shake.

Then to find out that the US government is funding it? Shiiiiit...

The Clarks Love Money More than Vets
 

I'm not one for military worship. No soldier in my lifetime has ever fought a war for my "freedom"..

Still, a wealthy organization like the Chiefs could certainly afford to salute the veterans without a little kickback. If for nothing else but good PR. American military culture loves them some soldiers.

I guess you should. Since you are helping to foot the bill.

God damn I really hate the NFL some times.

It costs more than that for a fly over...

That's the NFL. They are a money making machine.

I didn't realize those things were basically advertising. I don't have a problem with advertising, but maybe they should disclose that it is advertising or they should do it for free.

If the Marines or Army or National Guard want to run :30 spots on the jumbotron on TV timeouts at Arrowhead, and pay for them, fine.

But to take money to "salute our vets" is BS.

The Chiefs do a lot of PR stuff with Ft. Leavenworth and Whiteman AFB. It makes me now wonder whether they do that out of their "patriotism" or if they've been paid to do it.

The whole thing sucks.

Look at how many PTSD vets need help. Look at how many guys don't have body armor or adequately protected Humvees from IED's. Look at how many active military families are on food stamps or reduced cost lunch programs at school.

$250,000 could do a lot of good for a lot of people. The Chiefs ought to give that money back TEN TIMES OVER. The NFL business office is tax-exempt, you know (just like churches). Ten times the money ($2.5 million) is about what one special teams guy costs per year.

This whole thing is just not right. I hope the press puts Mark Donovan on a hot seat and forces the Chiefs to do right on this issue.

Symbolically, it makes a big difference to me. The Chiefs should never accept a dime to salute vets. They should just do it because they can, and because it's the right thing to do.

Why is it "BS" to take money for those spots, in your opinion?

A. Maybe so, but they took a stand for your freedom. Joining the military means " hey if shit hits the fan I will die to protect this country. " Regardless of your opinions on recent wars doest change the fact those guys/gals are writing a blank check to us all.

B. I know for a fact that there are many unconventional soldiers who have definitely fought for our safety, you just dont hear about it.

C. I agree the Chiefs should pick up the tab.

So, it is basically just a paid-for commercial. I guess there's really nothing wrong with that...it just LOOKS like an act of goodwill from the NFL/the team. So really, this is a great deal for them--they look classy, and they get $$$. They didn't make the teams worth billions by being stupid.