Senate Dem picks fight with NFL

A Senate Democrat is challenging the deep pockets of the National Football League (NFL).

The NFL’s response to players who suffer concussions during games and practices, domestic violence off the field, and the controversial name of the Washington Redskins, has Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) taking on the most powerful league in American sports.

{mosads}Blumenthal said Thursday he would reintroduce the Sustained Promotion of Responsibility in Team Sports (SPORTS) Act when the Senate returns.

Congress exempts the NFL from antitrust laws, but the legislation would place that exemption in question. The football league would be required to reapply for it every five years. Losing the exemption could affect the NFL’s finances.

This would give lawmakers more control over the NFL’s response to issues such as concussions and domestic violence.

“It has long been clear that the NFL needs ongoing oversight and transparency if it can continue to justify the public benefits it receives from Congress and the taxpayers,” Blumenthal said in a statement.

Blumenthal accused the NFL of “suppressing the science” around concussions.

“For years, the NFL hid the truth from its players, the public and scores of parents who allowed their children to play football long after the league knew of the sport’s dangers,” he said.

“Just in recent memory, the NFL has turned a blind eye to domestic violence, continued to condone a racist team name, and placed profits above its players and the public’s well-being,” he added. 

The legislation would also apply to other sports leagues, including the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.