The NFL dropped its tax-exempt status a few years ago (in order to make compensation - and other business practices - secret). Furthermore, the non-profit status only applied to the NFL League Office, not to the teams themselves, thus the vast majority of revenue was taxable.

The NFL isn't the only sports league who once rocked the not-for-profit status, NHL is currently a nonprofit and MLB was formally one.

I can think of much. much sketchier non-profits.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2015/04/28/t...

The public is starting to lose interest in subsiding for-profit teams, thankfully.