Where Does NFL Fine Money Go?
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Since the inception of the NFL’s personal conduct policy in 2007, the league has fined players over $200 million for various offenses. But where does that money actually go?
How the NFL Fines Players
The National Football League fines players for various reasons, but where does that money actually go? According to ESPN, “For the 2017 season, the NFL is distributing 60 percent of its fine money to two charities: the Players Assistance Trust and the Gene Upshaw Players Association’s Players’ Cancer Challenge” ( ESPN.com). So, there you have it. Some of the NFL’s fine money goes to charity.
Who Decides the Punishment?
The NFL commissioner has final say on player fines. Fines usually are levied for unsportsmanlike conduct or physical altercations, but also can be handed down for tardiness, failure to cooperate with the media and other offenses.
Fines collected from players are used to fund charities approved by the league, such as the American Red Cross and USO. In 2016, the NFL donated $1 million to those charities from funds collected through player fines.
How Much is the Punishment?
The National Football League (NFL) fines players for a variety of reasons, including on-field infractions, tardiness, and even arguing with officials. Fines for players have increased significantly over the years, with the average player now paying around $70,000 per year in fines.
One of the most common reasons for players to be fined is for uniform violations. This can include things like wearing the wrong color shoes or having too much exposed skin. Players have also been fined for celebrating too enthusiastically after a touchdown or making derogatory comments towards an opponent.
There is no set amount that a player can be fined for each infraction. Instead, the NFL has a grading system that assigns a certain number of points to each offense. The more points an offense is worth, the more expensive the fine will be. For example, a uniform violation is worth two points, while fighting will cost a player 20 points.
The money collected from player fines goes into a general fund that is used to cover various expenses related to running the NFL. This includes things like paying officials and funding league-wide initiatives such as player safety programs.
How the NFL Fines Teams
The National Football League (NFL) fines teams for various reasons, such as violating the league’s uniform code, violating the player conduct policy, or for late hits on opposing players. The money from these fines goes into a special fund that is used to support charitable causes that are important to the NFL. Some of the causes that have benefited from this fund include the United Way, the Red Cross, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Who Decides the Punishment?
When it comes to doling out discipline, the NFL gives itself a lot of latitude. The personal conduct policy says commissioner Roger Goodell “may impose such disciplinary measures as he deems appropriate under the circumstances.”
That discretion has led to some heavy fines over the years. Here’s a look at how they’re decided.
The first step is usually an investigation, conducted by people in the league office, to determine whether a violation has occurred and, if so, how severe it is. Investigators interview witnesses and review relevant documents, including police reports (if there are any). They also speak to the player or coach involved in the incident.
Once the investigation is complete, the league decides whether to punish the player or team. If it does, it sends a letter to the person or club outlining the violation and proposed discipline. The player or team then has three days to appeal the decision.
If an appeal is filed, a hearing is held before Goodell (or someone he designates) and testimony is taken from witnesses. Afterward, Goodell renders a decision, which is final. Players and teams can’t appealed decide to further at that point.
The NFL has handed down some big fines in recent years:
– In 2017, Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch was fined $24,309 for making an obscene gesture during a game.
– In 2016, Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $24,309 for using abusive language toward an official.
– In 2015, Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett was fined $20,000 for hitting then-Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton in the knee after a play was over.
How Much is the Punishment?
The punishment for violating the NFL’s rules is a fine. How much the team is fined depends on the severity of the offense and whether it is a first or repeat offense. For example, a first-time offender for having too many men on the field during a play would be fined $5,787, while a repeat offender would be fined $11,576. The biggest fine that can be levied by the NFL is $25,000.
Some of the most common offenses that result in fines are related to player safety, such as hits to the head or using illegal blocks. Fines for these types of offenses start at $15,000 for a first offense and increase to $30,000 for a third offense. Fines are also common for uniform and equipment violations, such as players not wearing required pads or having logos that are too big.
The money from fines goes into a pool that is used to fund various programs that support former players. This includes disability payments, concussion research, and retired player benefits.
How the Money is Spent
The NFL fines its players for various reasons, but where does that money actually go? 70% of the money goes to the players’ pension fund and 30% goes to a charitable foundation, which is then used to fund health research and other causes. So, while the players may not like being fined, at least they know that their money is going to a good cause.
How is the Money Spent?
The league issues fines for various reasons, including on-field misconduct, personal fouls, taunting, and illegal hits. There are also fines for uniform and equipment violations.
The NFL does not keep the money from the fines. Instead, it goes to a charity or charities of the NFL’s choice. In the past, this has included the NFL Foundation, which gives money to various charities that work with young people.
What Happens to the Money?
The fine money goes into a special fund set up by the NFL. This is separate from the operating budget and is used for various charitable causes.
A certain percentage of the fund is donated to charities chosen by the NFL player’s association. The rest of the money is used to finance programs that benefit retired players, such as the Players Assistance Program and thePlayer Health and Wellness Program.
