The Pentagon has paid sports teams millions to publicly honor soldiers

The national anthem before the Baltimore Ravens faced the Denver Broncos.
(Image credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Ever been to a sporting event with an on-field flag rollout, a wounded warriors tribute, or a surprise homecoming? Then you might have been a witness to "paid patriotism." According to a report issued by Republican Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, the military has spent $6.8 million on sports marketing since 2011.

"We're all enthusiastic to receive our men and women who are serving in uniform honored at various sporting events. We are very grateful for that. Unfortunately, thanks to an in-depth investigation, a lot of that patriotism was paid for," McCain said, according to the Chicago Tribune. The report itself was even tougher, calling such practices "inappropriate and frivolous."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.