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    • NFL owners support policies that benefit them. What about the fans?
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    NFL owners support policies that benefit them. What about the fans?

    Harry Posted on

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    Dee and Jimmy Haslam are free to spend their money as they see fit. If they want to spend it on a support unrepentant sexual predatorAlright, This isn’t the first time.

    But there is something unpleasant about the owners of this property. Cleveland Browns It funds politicians and policies that marginalize members of the public while also asking those same members of the public to do so. build them a new stadium.

    A USA TODAY Sports review of federal election spending records found that the Haslams gave $729,037 to Republican organizations this election cycle. That, in addition to the money they gave locally, includes $100,000 to defeat an anti-gerrymandering proposal on the Ohio ballot.

    The Haslams’ contributions to Ohio Works It matches the second-largest individual contribution to the organization, which opposes Issue 1, which would limit gerrymandering by taking redistricting out of the hands of politicians. Instead of the current Ohio Redistricting Commission composed entirely of politicians, there will be a 15-member citizens panel evenly split between independents, Democrats and Republicans.

    Why should Browns fans care? gerrymandering It makes elections less competitive by drawing political maps that favor the party in power. As a result, our elections – our representation – are less democratic.

    Gerrymandering Project currently rates Ohio as “poor” He gives the state a D for partisan fairness. According to Associated PressOhio is about 54% Republican and 46% Democratic. But in 2022, Republicans won nearly 66% of Ohio House and congressional seats and 79% of state Senate seats.

    This means the Haslams are actively trying to disenfranchise some Ohio citizens, at least some of whom are Brown supporters. On the face of it, it is selfish and arrogant to believe that one’s views are so superior that anyone who disagrees does not deserve the chance to be heard.

    “The family has always approached their civic responsibilities and political involvement with great care, consideration and purpose. Their sole purpose is always to support dedicated candidates for public office who have the leadership necessary to strengthen and improve communities in Ohio, Tennessee and across the country.” the Haslams said in a statement.

    But there is a more disturbing aspect to this.

    The Haslams want to build a $2.4 billion stadium in the suburbs and have said they want the public to pay half of it and state and local governments to contribute $600 million.

    So who will have to sign off on these state funds? You got it!

    “There are many theories about why people donate especially large amounts. “Giving special attention or access to or incentivizing policymakers in a way that helps their bottom line is (the only) theory,” said Ian Vandewalker, senior counsel and director of the elections and government program at the nonpartisan Brennan Center. Policy institute dedicated to protecting democracy.

    While there’s no guarantee that stadium funding will be determined along party lines, the Haslams are likely to find more sympathy among Republican lawmakers given their longtime support for the party. This means it is in their interest to ensure that the current gerrymandered system remains in place on stadiums and many other issues.

    “These things can often seem disconnected,” said Kenneth R. Mayer, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Wisconsin. “It wouldn’t be surprising if people didn’t make a strong connection between gerrymandering and the success of the Cleveland Browns.”

    The Haslams aren’t the only sports owners throwing their money around in the hope of influencing politics and politicians. A USA TODAY Sports analysis of federal campaign finance records found that the owners of 31 NFL teams (the Green Bay Packers are a publicly traded company) donated just over $28 million this election cycle.

    The vast majority of this money went to Republican candidates and causes.

    Again, these owners can do whatever they want with their money. But is that really all? their money? How much of this is direct contribution from fans whose rights these owners can curtail through their political donations?

    According to ForbesEvery NFL franchise is worth at least $4 billion, with the league average being $5.7 billion. Each team is also profitable, as Forbes estimates each team’s operating income is at least $56 million. This means that owning an NFL team makes team owners exponentially richer, even those who are already wealthy.

    Considering that fans are the ones who line team owners’ pockets by watching matches and buying tickets, concessions and merchandise, isn’t it a bit unconscionable for these team owners to prioritize their own political interests at the expense of at least some fans?

    Like Jimmy Haslam contributing Jobs Freedom and Security PACHe has a goal of reversing the Obamacare program that allowed millions of Americans to receive health care. Or when Jerry Jones and Janice McNair donated Ted Cruzthe architect of a plan to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power and subvert the will of the American people.

    “These are people who tend to support policies that benefit them and their interests as a group,” Mayer said. “If you talk to the Haslams, I’m sure they would deny that their actions had the effect of alienating their fans. But ultimately I doubt they gave it much thought.”

    There are some owners who see themselves as public servants and know that their decisions will affect them as well as their communities and fans. But many people work only for themselves, and their political donations are an example of this.

    Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armor on social media at @nrarmour.

    Harry
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