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house Bill H.R. 296

Ending Tax Breaks for Professional Sports Leagues

Argument in favor

Professional sports leagues rake in extraordinary amounts of money and their tax-exempt status essentially allows these organizations to be subsidized by taxpayers. They should be required to pay taxes.

IllWill's Opinion
···
10/11/2017
I strongly disagree with the political motive behind this bill. NFL players have every right to kneel during the National Anthem. However, these professional sports leagues should have never had tax-exempt status. They should be taxed like any ordinary business.
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Brandon's Opinion
···
10/11/2017
The NFL makes billions of dollars of Tickets and merchandise which is all taxed why should all their profits be tax free? On top of tax payer dollars going to fund the construction of greedy owners billion dollar stadiums.
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Nuzcraft's Opinion
···
10/11/2017
Why should these organizations be treated differently than a normal business? Please require them to pay taxes like everyone else.
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Argument opposed

Professional sports leagues are the substance of the American pastime and do a lot of charitable work with the money they make. Taking tax breaks away from them could raise costs that will be passed on to fans.

Todd's Opinion
···
10/11/2017
Countable needs to amend the summary of this bill because it does not include the political reason for its introduction: The NFL players kneeling for protesting excessive police violence and killing of black and brown people in our country. This bill is entirely political as punishment for protesting. To get to a real policy, most charitable organizations are lead by greed, hoarding money for themselves and evading the IRS. Perhaps it is time for all charity organizations to pay their fair share of taxes as well, Mr. Chaffetz?
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Malcolm's Opinion
···
10/11/2017
Passing this bill in retaliation to the NFL protests is a direct violation of our rights. Freedom of speech means the freedom to speak freely. Period.
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Michael777's Opinion
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10/11/2017
While I do support reversing tax breaks on profitable businesses, I can not support this bill because of why it was introduced: To take revenge against the black NFL players who simply exercised their right to free speech and take a knee. Snowflake Republicans need to grow the heck up and accept that people have different opinions and have the constitutional right to express their opinions in nonviolent ways.
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Bill Details

Official information provided by the Congressional Research Service. Learn more or make a suggestion.
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Title

PRO Sports Act

Official Title

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude major professional sports leagues from qualifying as tax-exempt organizations.

Summary

Properly Reducing Overexemptions for Sports Act or the PRO Sports Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove professional football leagues from the list of tax-exempt organizations. No organization or entity shall be treated as tax-exempt if it: (1) is a professional sports league, organization, or association, a substantial activity of which is to foster national or international professional sports competitions (including by managing league business affairs, officiating or providing referees, coordinating schedules, managing sponsorships or broadcast sales, operating loan programs for competition facilities, or overseeing player conduct); and (2) has annual gross receipts in excess of $10 million.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house has not voted
      house Committees
      Committee on Ways and Means
    IntroducedJanuary 5th, 2017
    Cathy's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/11/2017
    And churches too!
    Like (303)
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    Todd's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/11/2017
    Countable needs to amend the summary of this bill because it does not include the political reason for its introduction: The NFL players kneeling for protesting excessive police violence and killing of black and brown people in our country. This bill is entirely political as punishment for protesting. To get to a real policy, most charitable organizations are lead by greed, hoarding money for themselves and evading the IRS. Perhaps it is time for all charity organizations to pay their fair share of taxes as well, Mr. Chaffetz?
    Like (173)
    Follow
    Share
    IllWill's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/11/2017
    I strongly disagree with the political motive behind this bill. NFL players have every right to kneel during the National Anthem. However, these professional sports leagues should have never had tax-exempt status. They should be taxed like any ordinary business.
    Like (244)
    Follow
    Share
    Brandon's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/11/2017
    The NFL makes billions of dollars of Tickets and merchandise which is all taxed why should all their profits be tax free? On top of tax payer dollars going to fund the construction of greedy owners billion dollar stadiums.
    Like (104)
    Follow
    Share
    Nuzcraft's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/11/2017
    Why should these organizations be treated differently than a normal business? Please require them to pay taxes like everyone else.
    Like (90)
    Follow
    Share
    lifer's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/11/2017
    No taxes for sports teams...that’s just ridiculous.
    Like (35)
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    Malcolm's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/11/2017
    Passing this bill in retaliation to the NFL protests is a direct violation of our rights. Freedom of speech means the freedom to speak freely. Period.
    Like (33)
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    Frederick's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/11/2017
    Such an entity should not have any tax breaks at all. They make enough money as it is and I do not see them giving back all they profit from.
    Like (31)
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    Donald's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/11/2017
    This is a no brainer.
    Like (23)
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    Michael777's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/11/2017
    While I do support reversing tax breaks on profitable businesses, I can not support this bill because of why it was introduced: To take revenge against the black NFL players who simply exercised their right to free speech and take a knee. Snowflake Republicans need to grow the heck up and accept that people have different opinions and have the constitutional right to express their opinions in nonviolent ways.
    Like (15)
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    Share
    Alan's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/12/2017
    So let me get this straight, the rape us with high ticket prices and pay no taxes
    Like (15)
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    Ross's Opinion In Favor
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    10/11/2017
    They make insane amounts of money and should have to may taxes on it just as any other large for profit corporation or business does
    Like (15)
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    Nick's Opinion In Favor
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    10/11/2017
    The NFL should pay taxes just like my business does.
    Like (14)
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    SouthernGal's Opinion In Favor
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    10/12/2017
    Does no one realize the NFL gave these tax breaks up over 2 years ago? Churches should also be subjected to taxes.
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    Melvin's Opinion In Favor
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    10/11/2017
    The outrageous amount of money being made should. be taxed...Lets include churches also. thank You
    Like (13)
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    Scarlett's Opinion In Favor
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    10/11/2017
    Even though I don’t agree with the fact that this is being used as a punishment for the protests during the national anthem, I do agree that professional sports leagues should be taxed.
    Like (13)
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    Phil's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/12/2017
    No matter the reason behind this bill it is still the right thing to do. No professional or semi-professional spots organization should be exempt. The people that foot the bills for this country are the ones that struggle the most. It’s about time those with more than enough start chipping in. Sadly if this bill passes we will just end up paying for it still by higher ticket and merchandise prices.
    Like (11)
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    Robin's Opinion In Favor
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    10/11/2017
    We the taxpayers paid for a billionaire s football stadium and he gets tax breaks for it. And I get a .3% cola and you raise my Medicare .5%, I am so very pissed off.
    Like (11)
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    Pat's Opinion Against
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    10/11/2017
    While I don't favor subsidies the intent here is vengeful and childish.
    Like (11)
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    Christopher's Opinion In Favor
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    10/12/2017
    The owners of pro sports teams get enough tax breaks on their new stadiums. Let them pay their fair share of taxes like everybody else.
    Like (10)
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