Last week, Glenn predicted that both the NBA and NFL would accept Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’s plea to promote the Affordable Care Act. But, as it turns out, Glenn was wrong. The NFL now says it has “no plans” to work with the White House regarding the implementation of Obamacare.
“By the way, another Glenn Beck prediction wrong yet again,” Glenn joked on radio this morning. “I believe this is a sign of the, you know, usual pessimistic predictions perhaps being a little too pessimistic – to quote Bill Kristol.”
“Too pessimistic, I think so,” Pat continued. “Because apparently the NFL is going to take a pass on pimping the president's healthcare plan… They said thank you very much, but no thank you. Now, I don't think they're going to stop individual NFL players from participating if they want… I mean, you really can't.”
While Stu never believed there was any benefit for the NFL or the NBA to promote Obamacare, other than shamelessly cozying up to the government, Glenn believed that was exactly why the leagues would agree to provide assistance.
“That was why I made the prediction,” Glenn said. “Because [the NFL and NBA] have far too much to lose. Far too much to lose. The administration can put pressure on them, put pressure on the owners, put pressure on the league itself and make their life a living hell.”
In Glenn’s opinion, the NFL’s refusal to play ball with the Obama administration proves just how much trouble this legislation is in.
“Here's why I think the NFL came to their senses, and I'm shocked that they did. I'm thrilled that they did. But here's why,” Glenn explained. “They know once this really hits, they're in trouble. This is the front page of the Wall Street Journal and the headline today is ‘Insurance costs set for a jolt.’ Listen to this. For the healthy, rates could soar under the new law, sicker consumers to see relief. Healthy customers could see insurance rates double or even triple when they look for individual coverage under the federal health law later this year. While premiums paid by sicker people are going to become more affordable.”
“And I think the NFL is making a strategic decision,” Stu added. “If we stick our neck out and promote this, a lot of our viewers are going to get a… knife in the back.
Despite the NFL’s decision to distance itself from the Obama administration, Glenn and Pat still believe the NBA may still choose to promote healthcare.
“It wouldn't surprise me if the NBA still goes with it and does jump on board with the administration and promote healthcare,” Pat said.
“The NBA is still a popular league as well,” Stu added. “It is focused, has probably a larger urban audience which, you know, is probably more favorable to this law. Perhaps that's the calculation. Probably a younger audience as well.”
Regardless of what the NBA decides to do, Pat and Stu agreed that Glenn’s sports predictions can never be trusted and, therefore, he is off the hook on this one.
“And I will say this as well for your prediction,” Stu said. “This would fall under the – and I think you'd agree with this, Pat – would fall under the exemption clause of Glenn's predictions because it's sports related and he always gets those wrong… He has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. So I mean, really we couldn't punish him for being wrong anyway.”