DirecTV offers NFL Sunday Ticket refunds over anthem issue

DirecTV, a satellite broadcast service provider based in El Segundo, Calif., is allowing some customers to cancel subscriptions to its Sunday Ticket package of NFL games and obtain refunds, if they cite the players’ national anthem protests as their reasoning, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

The company, owned by AT&T, has a policy that excludes refunds once the NFL season begins in September. Customer service representatives are reportedly making exceptions this season because of the backlash from a portion of the population over anthem protests from the majority of teams this week.

The suddenly widespread protests from NFL players are in response to comments from President Donald Trump last week when he said, among other things, players should be fired for taking a knee during the anthem, a practice that has been going on by a limited number of players since early last season to protest what they perceive to be social injustices.

President Trump followed up his comments last week Tuesday morning, saying, “For people to disrespect that by kneeling during the playing of our national anthem, I think is disgraceful.”

The Sunday Ticket package costs roughly $280 per season.