Hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee - Addressing Domestic Violence in Professional Sports

Hearing

"We saw this case with Donald Sterling, and we saw immediate and swift action. In fact, Michael Jordan praised the NBA saying, a powerful message was sent that there can be "zero tolerance for racism and hatred.'

"It is clear that in some cases these organizations can act swiftly and do act swiftly. The question is, in this issue of domestic violence, why you don't?

"What we are hearing from many of my colleagues today is, what is the culture within these organizations that prevent them from acting as swiftly as in the case of Donald Sterling?

"I am going to submit some questions for the record, but I also, too, want to be on record. I am hearing from my constituents as I have raised this issue related to what is a very hateful name in association with the NFL -- my constituents are just flabbergasted that the NFL continues to enjoy a tax exempt status. For what purpose?

"And yet, on these issues of having a hateful name for a team, and then having these cases of domestic violence -- to say nothing of the incidents of what happened in Florida with players -- the NFL is not showing the leadership that I believe it should, and it certainly doesn't deserve the tax exempt status."

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