MLS received almost $400,000 for "Paid Patriotism" Displays

Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake issued a report detailing the Department of Defense's $6.8 Million campaign to promote the armed forces via displays at various sporting events. Of that figure, $396,500 was paid to 8 different MLS teams between September 2012 and September 2015. Here's the breakdown.

Under McCain's & Flake's joint .gov websites letterhead a story is spun about misdirected monies. Three paragraphs in, the Los Angeles Galaxy are called out.

"Consider this: honoring five Air Force officers put $1,500 into the pockets of the LA Galaxy."

This, of course, is bad and shouldn't happen. A funny thing though, the report can't even get the name of the league correct.

Let's move onto the teams. The report sorts the teams from more to less expensive invoices, but that's less dramatic. So we'll reveal in the opposite direction.

Reminder: These are funds the Department of Defense paid to MLS teams

Columbus Crew SC

Expenditures by Year

FY 2014 $13,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

On-field enlistment ceremony and 25 game tickets for Delayed Entry Program (DEP) members (FY2014)

Houston Dynamo

Expenditures by Year

FY 2013 - $15,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

One color guard ceremony before two Dynamo home games (FY2013)

Opportunity for a member of the TXARNG (Texas Air National Guard) to perform the national anthem before one Dynamo home game (FY2013)

LA Galaxy

Expenditures by Year

FY 2012 - $20,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

$1,509 for the Galaxy to provide pregame recognition of five high ranking officers of the Air Force and 100 general admission tickets to that game (FY2012)

$9,054 for the Galaxy to allocate seven minutes for the USAF to perform a pregame, on-field oath of enrollment ceremony for 500 new recruits and provide 600 general admission tickets to that day’s game (FY2012)

$6,036 for 100 general admission tickets to each of four Galaxy home games (FY2012)

$3,400 for four sideline season tickets to be used for recruiting purposes (FY2012)

FC Dallas

Expenditures by Year

FY 2013 - $7,500

FY 2014 - $13,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

On-field enlistment ceremony and 75 game tickets for Delayed Entry Program (DEP) members and their families (FY 2014)

On-field enlistment ceremony and up to 150 game tickets for DEP members and their families (FY 2013)

D.C. United

Expenditures by Year

FY 2014 - $25,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

Ten tickets to one game for DCARNG (D.C. Army National Guard) members (FY 2014)

Real Salt Lake

Expenditures by Year

FY 2015 - $75,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

One military appreciation night including the opportunity UTARNG (Utah Army National Gurad) soldiers to participate in pregame and halftime recognition ceremonies and 150 tickets to the game for recruiting activities (FY2015)

Color guard ceremonies (FY2015)

Colorado Rapids

Expenditures by Year

FY 2014 - $100,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

Three color guard ceremonies, Cannon fire ceremony (FY 2014)

Seattle Sounders

Expenditures by Year

FY 2012 - $46,500

FY 2013 - $46,500

FY 2015 - $35,000

Offending Expenditure(s)

WAARG (Washington Army National Guard) recognition and a compelling Army National Guard public service message to be played on Soundervision video boards at 19 Sounders home games (FY2012, FY2013, FY2015)

John McCain and Jeff Flake think all the above are a waste of taxpayer dollars. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.