Why is the NFL tax exempt?

[Peachman2000]

Why is this multibillion dollar corporation listed as a non profit when they contribute nothing to the greater good of society? The NFL only provides a means for entertainment that helps no real cause. They also pay their staff and players millions of dollars to either play a game, or be administrators. They make billions of dollars in merchandising that doesn't seem to go anywhere outside of the NFL itself. Why do they not have to pay taxes when everybody who is involved is filthy rich from the money their corporation makes?

[Sewer Socialist]

Why don't you think entertainment is a contribution to the greater good of society? It comes packed with ads, but entertainment itself is not unimportant.

To be clear, individual teams are privately owned and taxed; it is the league that is tax exempt. Looking it up, the National Football League is legally a trade group - a 501(c)6 which includes chambers of commerce, boards of trade, etc.

The NHL is also tax-exempt, and the MLB was until recently.

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

Considering how many major corporations basically pay no taxes as it is, I'm not sure it really matters.

[Ocean Seal]

Of course they don't contribute to society, they are tax exempt because the owners will threaten to move the team if they aren't granted that status, which naturally makes a political scene out of something that ordinary people ignore otherwise.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

Because getting Rusell Wilson hot and sweaty and happy is part of every Americans civic duty. What they teaching you kids in school nowadays?

[BIXX]

Ready to play sooome FOOOOOTTTTBALLLLLLLLLLL!

[motion denied]

MLB is hardly entertainment. More like snooze fest luckyswing amirite guise

[Redistribute the Rep]

Religious organizations usually get tax exemption

[Prof. Oblivion]

It's just a tax status. It doesn't really mean anything.