all of you seem to be ignoring the simple - yet important - aspect of where the money comes from that the nfl so evenly spreads around. the money that comes into the nfl that is distributed so freely and evenly across the board is paid in by sponsors and advertisers that voluntarily give funding to it. at any time, they may opt out and not contribute a dime. no one at all is required to submit a red cent to the nfl. if you wish to run the country in the same fashion (equal distribution) than you must give those of us who contribute the ability to opt out. how's that sound? i'd sign up for that country every day of the week and twice on sunday. of course, we all know what would happen to the country if that were to happen. additionally, i'd be willing to bet that if the current sponsors of the nfl were forced through taxation to contribute the same amounts to the nfl year over year, there would be a whole bunch of changes to how funds are used. you and maher can put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Well, we are looking at the NFL in isolation, and of course we assume its revenue is a voluntary expenditure by those outside the NFL. The tax funded stadiums can be debated on their own merits, some of which you express valid opinions. As for an imagined national cooperative that might work "kinda like" the NFL, I'll vote for letting you opt out, BUT first I want your language, your education, your values, and your use and knowledge of all other US cultural artifacts both ideational and physical removed from your psyche. You start from scratch. Sound fair?
Regardless of whether the NFL is socialistic or not, it appears they do not suffer from the problem of freeriders, with the possible exception of the owners. ; )
Professional major league sports in the United States is such a piss-poor case study for social progressive democracy in action. Typical utopian fantasy that ignores the root source (i.e., the social and economic condition of the fan/spectator base contributors) of the wealth being generated for said "equitable" distribution. It isn't really equitable distribution at all. But then again, consider the source...
Maher was making a point with humor while ridiculing the right with humor. And as usual funny and witty. He wasn't crafting a financial plan for America or doing an intensive review of the American professional sports. Guys on the right are way too serious.
Thank goodness, we don't need another liberal trying to run America. I had fun taking his nonsense apart!