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NFL to end tax-exempt status

REUTERS/Eric Thayer

The NFL will relinquish its tax-exempt status, commissioner Roger Goodell announced in a memo to owners Tuesday. 

Goodell said the move was made to "eliminate (a) distraction."

The memo states the move will not have a significant impact on the operation of the league:

Every dollar of income generated through television rights fees, licensing agreements, sponsorships, ticket sales, and other means is earned by the 32 clubs and is taxable there. This will remain the case even when the league office and Management Council file returns as taxable entities, and the change in filing status will make no material difference to our business.

One notable change that will arise following the decision is that the league will no longer have to disclose Goodell's hefty salary. 

The NFL was first granted tax-exempt status in 1942. Earlier this year, Congressman Jason Chaffetz called for an end to the exemption

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