Over the past few weeks, hundreds of NFL players have been taking a knee during the national anthem to protest against President Donald Trump and racial inequality. One team that participated in this was the New Orleans Saints, but it just came back to bite them in a huge way.
Freedom Daily reported that Lousiana State Rep. Kenny Havard was infuriated by this, so he decided to send a brutal message to the Saints.
“The very reason (the Saints) have the privilege and opportunity to play professional football while being paid millions is because someone in uniform died protecting their right to do so,” Havard said, after announcing a devastating cut he’s proposing.
“Louisiana State Rep. Kenny Havard, R-St. Francisville, said Monday morning that he wants to cut millions in state tax dollars, exemptions, and credits allocated to the New Orleans Saints, the NFL and any of those groups’ associated facilities that receive funding,” The Advocate reported. “Havard’s statement didn’t specify the amount of state money that he proposed be diverted from the Saints the NFL. According to a 2015 Forbes story, Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson was ‘set to rake in an estimated $392 million from state subsidies through 2025.’”
“Disrespecting our national anthem and flag in the name of social injustice is the highest form of hypocrisy,” Havard stated. “Our free society made possible by our fighting men and women has made available free education, free lunch, housing and free healthcare and is now be considered socially unjust,” he added. “It is time the taxpayers quit subsidizing protest on big boy playgrounds. I believe in the right to protest but, not at a taxpayer-subsidized sporting event. Do it on your own time. There are plenty of disabled children, elderly and veterans in this state that would appreciate the money.”
For Saints owner Tom Benson, it could be a loss of $392 million, which is what Forbes projected he benefits from state subsidies through 2025.
“The report said during the Mercedes-Benz Superdome lease ‘the state will pay Benson at least $198 million in increased revenue from the Superdome, $142 million in rental payments on property Benson owns, $10 million in bonuses for bringing the Super Bowl to New Orleans and $2.6 million in tax breaks. Benson will get another $40 million from private rent payments to a tower he bought as part of the deal.’”
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