Did you know the NFL is a nonprofit business? That’s right. Each year, the 32 teams collectively pay $250 million in “membership dues.” That’s tax-exempt money. The NFL office, as a nonprofit trade association, supposedly exists only to organize and promote football. Roger Goodell, as commissioner, gets a salary of just under $30 million. Not bad for the nonprofit world.
The NFL earns $9 billion a year from TV contracts, jersey sales, and other revenue sources. That money gets funneled back to the teams, where it CAN be taxed by the IRS.
Major League Baseball had a similar tax exemption for its league office, but gave it up in 2007. The NBA has never been tax exempt.
The National Hockey League has a tax exemption like the NFL. But let’s face it–hockey probably needs it.
