Earlier this week, House Republicans introduced HR 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They hope these tax cuts will stimulate the economy. Within in the bill is a provision, Section 3604, that effectively eliminates the federal tax subsidy for sports stadiums. When we received the news, we were happy to see lawmakers addressing this wasteful practice. The section is based on a standalone bill we've been advocating for called the "No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act." This bill has bipartisan support from several Democrats and Republicans. 

But there’s still a lot of game time left.

Not too long ago, we asked you, the fans, to write your congressmen asking them to co-sponsor HR. 811 or S. 1342. These bills aim to eliminate the federal tax subsidy of sports stadiums. Right now, teams are exploiting you as taxpayers to finance construction of new sports stadiums. Over the past couple weeks, SFC climbed Capitol Hill, ran the labyrinth of the office buildings, and advocated on your behalf. Why should you subsidize a stadium you may never visit? Across the political spectrum, the people were sympathetic to the cause.

Let's take a trip down memory lane. In 1997 the Redskins came after Maryland’s taxpayers.

Public financing of sports stadiums is corporate welfare. Period. Billionaire owners benefit from our taxpayer dollars and fans rarely get a good deal.

Redskins fans are known to be among the most passionate in the NFL. This season, though, they’ve channeled that passion into the Danifesto. We just surpassed the 2,000 signatures mark in DC, Maryland, and Virginia and we couldn’t be more happy with the fans of the DMV.

The Oakland Athletics may have finally figured out where they want to put their new stadium, but building it is going to be no small feat. The team’s desired spot is a choice chunk of land in central Oakland, overlooking beautiful Lake Merritt and right next to Laney College. Actually getting the land will require convincing its owner — the Peralta Community College District — to sell, as well as getting the city of Oakland to help out with infrastructure upgrades. But, for the A’s, all that trouble may be very much worth it. The team is going to privately fund its new stadium, and it believes the Peralta location is its best bet to do so.

Coming off a loss to the Eagles last week, Dan Snyder continued to lose when the Danifesto hit DMV. Fans across the region began to express how they really felt about the owner of the Washington's NFL team.

Dan Snyder and the Redskins have expressed interest in moving out of FedEx Field in 2027. While construction might be far in the future, negotiations are beginning and sports fans need to weigh in now.

“I’m often asked who’s the worst owner in the wide world of sports. … After today, I now have an answer: It is without question the owner of the Washington Redskins, Daniel Snyder.” -Dave Zirin

It is without question that Dan Snyder is one of the most hated men in sports; even Washington fans agree. With his lease in FedEx field expiring, he's making preparations to move out of Landover and to DC, Virginia, or elsewhere in Maryland. When that happens he's likely to put states against one another and demand hundreds of millions of dollars.

Snyder has a history of anti-fan behavior and is not deserving of any fan's tax dollars. If he receives any, he's still likely to raise prices and implement other harmful policies. It's time the fans fight back. Select your location below and tell your elected officials to take the Danifesto Pledge. 

Rich, greedy owners shouldn’t be allowed to receive corporate welfare unless the public receives a good in exchange. With the recent moves of the Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, and San Diego Chargers, this issue is even more prevalent for fans. These moves have been facilitated with subsidies totaling in the billions. Never, have fans received something in return. The Danifesto is about changing that. The Danifesto will protect fans from Dan Snyder.