The previous post is indeed about pat downs.
The NFL wants all stadiums to pat down fans upon entry. So all fans are searched. But the NFL doesn’t want to pay for the cost of additional security. And the Buccaneers don’t want to pay. So the Sports Authority (your taxes) is paying for the pat downs.
So now, the ACLU is suing because the pat downs amount to illegal search and seizure. And the Sports Authority, who didn’t want to do the pat downs in the first place is in a peculiar position. They must now defend the practice from the ACLU suit. Furthermore, the NFL likely won’t help pay to defend the suit. Jim Norman doesn’t even want to ask the NFL to pay, because of that Super Bowl thingy. What a kiss-ass.
Check out this St. Pete Times quote from Milton Ahlerich, NFL vice president of security:
Ahlerich, of the NFL, tried to assuage concerns by saying the league would probably stick by the sports authority if the league policy is challenged.
So much for that.
Hey – I would not mind being patted down at every game if it made me safer. But here’s the thing: I’m not any safer. I’ve been to a couple games this year, and was felt up both times. Wearing cargo shorts with big, deep pockets at the knee, I could have carried any sort of weapon into the stadium. Tampa Bay’s 10 reporter Mike Deeson entered Sunday’s game with fake plastic explosives without being questioned.
If the NFL wants to implement a ridiculous time- and money-wasting effort for NO REASON, more power to them. But taxpayers should not have to pay for it. The Buccaneers (which really means their fans) should.
editengine
4 years ago
Super Bowl would make a nice target. If Al Queda ever does it I think Tom Clancy should sue since he already wrote about that and using jetliners as weapons. I see a pattern here… where is Tom Clancy anyway?
Sandy
4 years ago
*Snort* just like they sucker communities into paying outlandish sums for new stadiums that most taxpayers will never see the insides of (dangle that participle): if you won’t play my way I’ll take my ball and go home.
The NFL doesn’t want to take real responsibility for anything.
Just show them the money.
kate
4 years ago
I agree – taxpayers shouldn’t pay for sports fans to get felt up. I’ve been to a few games and it’s not even enough to quicken my pulse. The NFL shouldn’t be allowed to stick regular people with the bill – just the ones who like $6 beers and shirtless, paintfaced whack jobs.
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » Blog Archive » invading your privacy
1 year ago
[...] In the name of SECURITY, you will now be groped at all Buccaneers games at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, even though these pat-downs don’t work. [...]