This is a message I just emailed to one of the Indiana state representatives that I know personally.
From: Bill Starr
To: Representative Milo Smith
Cc: Representative Sean Eberhart; Senator Chip Perfect; Senator Greg Walker; Representative Eric Allan Koch
Subject: Mandated refunds for offended NFL fans
Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2017, 9:31:23 PM EST
Hi Milo.
I saw the article in today's paper that you are considering submitting legislation that spectators offended by professional athletes taking a knee during the National Anthem would be entitled to request a full ticket price refund during the first quarter.
Of course the implication is that government would force the team owners to make good on such a refund.
I urge you to reconsider this idea.
This seems to me like a matter best handled privately between the business and the consumer. Most fans who attend an NFL game these days must be aware of the possibility that they may witness an athlete taking a knee during the National Anthem. It seems that if they're not willing to take that risk, they might as well spend their recreational dollars in some other way. That decision would certainly send a message to team owners as to what the fans are expecting when they attend a game.
While the NFL club owner is certainly welcome to offer a full or partial refund to anyone they like, for any reason they like, that decision seems to me best left to the business owner, and not made the subject of legislation.
As you are of course aware, any time a law is passed, that means that the use or threat of physical force is being authorized to enforce it. As long as the team owners are not fraudulently offering any sort of promise that there is no risk of a fan's being offended by something he observes at the game, I don't see any need for government to be involved in this issue.
Sincerely, Bill Starr
Wed, 27 Dec 2017, 9:31 pm
Ref: http://www.therepublic.com/2017/12/27/12272017cr_taking_a_knee
