Thursday, October 2, 2014

U.S. Representative Elenor Holmes Norton (D - D.C.) publically extorts the NFL



Extortion is defined as; the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.  Synonyms; blackmail, shakedown.

(ABC News via Yahoo) Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton is cosponsor of the House bill that would cut off the NFL's tax break. She represents the District of Columbia. ABC News said new bills were introduced in recent weeks to take away the not-for-profit designation. Norton said that the NFL might get that cushy tax break yanked ... unless it changes the Redskins' name.

"The NFL greed is so widespread that they’ve chosen to operate as a tax-exempt organization. So we want to take that choice away from them unless, and until, they decide not to profit from a name that has now officially been declared a racial slur,” Norton said on the ESPN/ABC podcast “Capital Games,” according to ABCNews.

Some "housekeeping" issues aside: First: I don't think the NFL should be a non-profit.  Second:  I do think the Washington Redskins should change their name.  Third:  Rep. Holmes Norton is not a voting member of the House as the representative from the District of Columbia. 

With the above out of the way, how is the NFL greedy as Rep. Holmes Norton states?  Are they not like MLB, NASCAR, NBA, MLS, NHL or even the NCAA in trying to make as much of a profit as possible?  This is now bad?  It must not be because while Rep. Holmes Norton called them greedy she seem willing to not touch the tax status issue, "unless, and until, they decide not to profit from a name that has now officially been declared a racial slur".  So, if the Redskins change there name to say, Washington Extortionist the league can remain non-profit in Rep. Holmes Norton's words. 

Since Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn (R) has been trying to address the NFL tax-exempt status for a while and introduced a bill in 2013 that went no place fast. 

Like I said, I am fine with changing the tax-exempt status and I do believe the Redskins should change the team name.  But there is no way it is appropriate for a sitting U.S. Representative to threaten a private organization in such an ethically questionable manner.   

No comments:

Post a Comment