Revoke the Tax-Exempt Status of the National Football League

The Issue

Despite the fact that it is a $10Billion/Year industry, the National Football League (NFL) continues to enjoy status as a non-profit organization -- meaning it doesn’t have to pay federal corporate taxes. 

The Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, makes nearly $44 million a year -- earning more than the heads of companies like Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart. Through TV deals alone, the NFL has inked nearly $30 billion with various television networks. And so often, fans like you and me are asked to foot the bill for new stadiums through our own taxes.

Yet despite being the most profitable sports league in the entire world, the NFL does not pay federal taxes. 

The NFL should pay their fair share towards our economy! Just like Major League Baseball, which gave up its nonprofit status in recent years, as well as the National Basketball Association, the NFL should not be able to hide under a nonprofit status in order to avoid paying federal taxes. 

The NFL has methodically worked to shift all the power to their side, leaving players, employees and PARTICULARLY THE FANS little say in what goes on with the league. We deserve a say, but do not wish to boycott our teams! Therefore, we are calling on our elected representatives to revoke the tax-exempt status we bestowed upon the league half a century ago. Please sign this petition, and let Congress know that you want them to reconsider the NFL’s tax exempt status. 

avatar of the starter
Lynda WoolardPetition Starter
Media inquiries
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 425,235 supporters!

The Issue

Despite the fact that it is a $10Billion/Year industry, the National Football League (NFL) continues to enjoy status as a non-profit organization -- meaning it doesn’t have to pay federal corporate taxes. 

The Commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, makes nearly $44 million a year -- earning more than the heads of companies like Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart. Through TV deals alone, the NFL has inked nearly $30 billion with various television networks. And so often, fans like you and me are asked to foot the bill for new stadiums through our own taxes.

Yet despite being the most profitable sports league in the entire world, the NFL does not pay federal taxes. 

The NFL should pay their fair share towards our economy! Just like Major League Baseball, which gave up its nonprofit status in recent years, as well as the National Basketball Association, the NFL should not be able to hide under a nonprofit status in order to avoid paying federal taxes. 

The NFL has methodically worked to shift all the power to their side, leaving players, employees and PARTICULARLY THE FANS little say in what goes on with the league. We deserve a say, but do not wish to boycott our teams! Therefore, we are calling on our elected representatives to revoke the tax-exempt status we bestowed upon the league half a century ago. Please sign this petition, and let Congress know that you want them to reconsider the NFL’s tax exempt status. 

avatar of the starter
Lynda WoolardPetition Starter
Media inquiries

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 425,235 supporters!

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The Decision Makers

Bryan Steil
Bryan Steil
Responded
“Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the tax-exempt status of the National Football League (NFL). You raised some good points about why you believe the tax-exempt status of the NFL should be revoked. Specifically, your mention of the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball’s decision to give up their nonprofit status is an interesting argument in your case. As you mentioned, Senator Tom Coburn has introduced legislation to address this issue. You may be interested to know that Representative Jason Chaffetz has introduced H.R. 3965, the PRO Sports Act, which serves as the House companion to Senator Coburn’s legislation. This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to remove professional football leagues from the list of tax-exempt organizations. Currently, H.R. 3965 is pending in the House Committee on Ways and Means. As a member of this committee, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind. I appreciate your sharing your opinions, and I will continue to monitor this issue closely. Should legislation that would revoke the tax-exempt status of the NFL reach the House floor, I will keep your thoughtful concerns in mind. ”
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Petition created on September 26, 2012