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NFL Players Association PAC’s First Round of Donations Slightly Favor Republicans

NFLPA One Team PAC gives to Dick Durbin, Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy

Houston Texans v Seattle Seahawks
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July 16, 2018

The NFL Players Association’s political action committee first round of political donations slightly favor Republicans, Federal Election Commission filings show.

The NFLPA One Team PAC, which was created in 2016, reported $723,537 in contributions and did not disburse any money to political candidates until May 30. From late May to mid-June, the PAC donated money to six politicians, including four Republicans and two Democrats.

Anthony Gonzalez, a former player for the Indianapolis Colts, is running as a Republican in Ohio’s 16th congressional district in an attempt to win the seat vacated by Rep. Jim Renacci. Gonzalez received a $2,700 donation from the PAC on May 30 and another $2,300 contribution the following day.

Colin Allred, a former NFL player for the Tennessee Titans, is running in Texas’s 32nd congressional district as a Democrat. Allred received a $2,700 donation from the PAC on May 30 and $2,300 on May 31, the filings show.

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin (D.,N.Y) and Republican Reps. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Will Hurd (Texas) each received a total of $5,000 in donations from the PAC. Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ken.) was given $2,700.

In total, the PAC gave $17,700 to Republicans and $10,000 to Democratic politicians.

The PAC's top donors this election cycle are New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Dwayne Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Jermey Parnell, free agent strong safety Eric Reid, and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, who all contributed $5,000 to the PAC.

Last year, the PAC raised more than $700,000 from 1,000 individual contributions that ranged between $250 and $5,000, Sports Business Journal reported in February.

The NFL Players Association did not return a request for comment on its first round of donations and how the PAC determines who receives the money.