NFL admits it may have used taxpayer funds to honor troops

The NFL admitted in a release Friday that more than $700,000 in taxpayer money may have been used to honor troops at league events instead of for recruitment.

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The NFL admitted in a release to ABC News on Friday that more than $700,000 in taxpayer money may have been used to honor troops at league events instead of for recruitment.

An independent audit, according to league commissioner Roger Goodell, “identified $723,734 over...four seasons that may have been mistakenly applied to appreciation activities rather than recruitment efforts.” Goodell said that amount will be returned to taxpayers in full, according to ABC News. 

Arizona senators Jeff Flake and John McCain investigated the allegations and praised the league for taking action and admitting that it may have erred in its procedures.

In November, ABC reported that more than $6 million in taxpayer money across various major league sports was used to stage “patriotic moments.” Leagues and teams at that time denied they charged for these displays.