In Newark, Christopher Baxter noted the U.S. Department of Defense has paid $5.4M "in taxpayer money to 14 NFL teams across the country, including $377,500 to the Jets, with the bulk spent by the National Guard." The payments coincide with "caps on military spending" imposed by Congress and the president. The New Jersey Army National Guard "paid for a segment at Jets home games in which soldiers were featured on the big screen, thanked for their service and given tickets to the game." Other teams that have "received taxpayer money from the military for similar arrangements" since '11 are the Falcons, Ravens, Bills, Bengals, Browns, Packers, Colts, Chiefs, Dolphins, Vikings, Steelers and Rams (NJ.com, 5/7).
THE BUCK STARTS HERE: In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen reported the Bucks will "expand their retail presence at Milwaukee-area shopping centers and one in Madison." The Bucks said Wednesday that they have "launched a partnership with athletic merchandise retailer Name of the Game" at shops in suburban Milwaukee malls and a stand-alone location in Madison. The Bucks Pro Shop will "begin operations the week of May 11 at those Name of the Game locations" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/6).
