SPORTS/TAXES/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Trump threatened on Tuesday [10-10-17] to use federal tax law to penalize the National Football League over players who kneel in protest during the national anthem as he sought to escalate a political fight that has resonated with his conservative base.
In one of a series of combative early morning tweets, Mr. Trump said that Congress should eliminate a law that has allowed the N.F.L. central office to avoid paying taxes as a nonprofit entity. ‘Why is the N.F.L. getting massive tax breaks while at the same time disrespecting our Anthem, Flag and Country?’ he wrote. ‘Change tax law!’
The tax break for the N.F.L. has been a point of controversy for years, and other conservatives have taken up the cause in recent weeks as the president has repeatedly assailed the league over the player protests. But the idea would be more about symbolism than impact. The tax break applies only to the central office, not the teams, which already pay taxes as for-profit organizations, and the N.F.L. voluntarily gave up the tax exemption for its league office in 2015.”
-Peter Baker, “Trump Threatens N.F.L. and Attacks Jemele Hill,” The New York Times online, Oct. 10, 2017