The Minnesota Wild were among the biggest recipients in recent years of U.S. Department of Defense contracts that included paid military tribute events before and during professional sports games, according to a new report.
The Vikings have also taken in hundreds of thousands of dollars from similar contracts, with the Lynx getting a smaller piece of the action, the report said.
The report, authored by U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, both Republicans from Arizona, blasted what they termed "paid patriotism" events, saying the practice "betrays the sentiment and trust of fans" and sullies genuine displays of appreciation.