Report: Astros, Dynamo took money to honor troops

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The Astros and Dynamo were cited in a Joint Oversight Report by Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake on so-called “paid patriotism” Wednesday for receiving money to honor troops.

The Astros and their Lone Star State rival Texas Rangers were among 10 Major League Baseball teams mentioned in the report. The Dynamo were one of eight Major League Soccer teams mentioned in the report, which included six NHL teams, eight NBA teams and 18 NFL teams, including the Cowboys.

The Dynamo, who just finished a three-year sponsorship agreement with the U.S. Army, accepted $15,000 in fiscal year 2013 for color guard ceremonies before two matches and the opportunity for a Texas National Guardsman to sing the national anthem before a game.

“We are supportive of the military and have been throughout the course of our history and will continue to do so going forth,” Dynamo president Chris Canetti said. “We think it’s a great tradition to honor military veterans and military personnel at our games and we’ll continue to do so until the end of time for both the Dynamo or the Dash regardless of anything else.

“It’s just the right thing to do. We do it now and we’ll continue to do it.”

RELATED: Cowboys among NFL teams paid to honor military personnel



Click through the gallery to see the NFL teams that were paid for military promotions. less The Astros accepted $25,000 form the Texas Army National Guard in the fiscal year 2013, according to a new government report.

Click through the gallery to see the NFL teams that were paid for military ... more The Astros accepted $25,000 form the Texas Army National Guard in the fiscal year 2013, according to a new government report. Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Report: Astros, Dynamo took money to honor troops 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

According to the report, the Rangers accepted $75,000 between fiscal years 2012 through 2014, earning $10,000 for two U.S. Air Force honor guard ceremonies in 2012, $11,000 for the same ceremonies in 2013 and $14,000 for an Air Force honor guard in 2014. They also received $25,000 from the National Guard in 2012 for 40 tickets and the opportunity to sing the national anthem at Texas Army National Guard Night and $15,000 in 2013 for “TXARNG Employer Night, TXARNG batting practice night and one performance of the national anthem by a TXARNG soldier.”

The Astros accepted $25,000 in 2013 for a National Guard “appreciation night to include one swearing-in ceremony, one suite for up to 14 guests, 50 community tickets, and a ticket discount for TXARNG friends and family” and “four dugout tickets for a total of 12 Astros home games.”

"The Astros do not charge the U.S. Military for on-field ceremonies honoring our veterans or active troops," Astros president Reid Ryan said. "Any reports that state otherwise are simply not accurate. The Astros have partnered on one occasion with an ad agency representing the U.S. Military - in sole support of a recruitment campaign.

"The suite and tickets involved in this arrangement were donated by the Astros. There was no charge. We are proud to recognize the service of our veterans and active military members, which we did at every home game in 2015, and will continue to do."

According to Bloomberg News, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told McCain and Flake in a letter dated Nov. 2 that any payments made for activities other than recruitment or advertising would be refunded in full. Goodell also pledged that the league would audit all contracts between its teams and military branches.