Small Things Count

I was surprised to learn that the NFL hasn’t paid taxes since 1966, when “professional football leagues” were added to the IRS code as non-profit organizations.  That put them into the same category as tax-exempt charities, such as the Cancer Society, homeless shelters, and churches.  At the same time, they were granted an exemption in the anti-trust regulations, giving them a monopoly in terms of negotiating TV rights, thus saving them even more money. It makes me wonder why the items we buy–tickets, hot dogs, beer, team clothing, etc.—are astronomically high.  And why we put up with it.