Minn. Sports Teams Took Nearly $1M From Gov't For 'Paid Patriotism' At Games
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A new report shows Minnesota's sports teams are near the top of the list for "paid patriotism."
Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake say the Pentagon paid $6.8 million to professional sports teams to stage events honoring troops at games.
The Wild rank fourth among all major sports teams for how much money they've accepted -- a total of $570,000 dollars from the 2012, 2013 and 2015 fiscal years. That paid for things like on-ice appreciation and delivering of the puck.
The Vikings received a total of $375,000 in 2012 and 2013 for stadium signage, USO tours, and a Soldier of the Game recognition.
The Timberwolves got $27,000 in 2014 for events like a military appreciation night at a Lynx game and having a soldier sing the National Anthem.
The report shows the Department of Defense also gave more than a half million dollars to college athletic programs. That includes $170,000 to the University of Wisconsin in 2014.
You can read the full report here.