Anti-corruption organization Rootstrikers has joined Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn’s fight to get the NFL’s tax-exempt status revoked.

Anti-corruption organization Rootstrikers has joined Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn’s fight to get the NFL’s tax-exempt status revoked.

The tax-free status was given in the 1960s when the NFL was just getting off the ground. Technically, it only covers administrative operations like dues collection, drafting at the college level, and salaries for executives.

With estimated revenues of 9 billion dollars, the sports league is now the most financially successful one in the world.

As far as dispensing the paychecks, it’s those very executive salaries that have helped motivate Rootstrikers to start rallying for the exemption to end.

In 2011, the total payout to the NFL’s top 5 execs was near the 60 million dollar mark.

Getting the ire of the group up further is the fact that much of the money to build multi-million dollar stadiums is supplied by taxpayers.

The NFL was quick to point out that individual teams do pay taxes and a good chunk of the league’s money ends up in their hands.

Many don’t consider that to be enough, and legislation to nullify the NFL’s tax-exempt status has been stagnant since September.

Rootstrikers hope their campaign and petition will help move it along.