The Falcons no longer will accept payment from military branches for advertising or any other deals, team owner Arthur Blank said.
Blank is taking that position after his team and many pro sports franchises drew sharp criticism from Congress and others last year for their marketing contracts with the military, some of which included paid tributes to troops at games.
The crackdowns don’t ban advertising, such as on video boards and in game programs, or other marketing activation at stadiums for recruitment purposes. But Blank said the Falcons will steer clear of compensation for even permitted deals in the future.
“We don’t even want to be in that discussion,” Blank said. “We don’t want any confusion about it. … We’re not going to accept any more monies under any contracts.”
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