The Galaxy is one of several sports franchises that shared almost $7 million in what was called “Tackling Paid Patriotism” in a Senate Armed Forces Committee report released Thursday.

The Galaxy received $20,000 in 2012 from the Air Force for four programs.

Galaxy spokesman Brendan Hannan dismissed the criticism in a brief email:

“It was a one-off ticket sales partnership with the Air Force,” he wrote. “Similar to any partnership with any business. … The Air Force is a business. They are in the business of recruiting talent and they pay for advertisements for that exposure.”

It was unclear why Hannan didn’t appear to see the distinction between a private business and a taxpayer-funded government agency. He said the club would not be donating the money to veteran’s groups as McCain suggested.

He declined to add more in an off the record telephone conversation, but did go out of his way to note that:

“We invite a member of the military to attend each home game and provide them with four (4) tickets, a jersey, dinner, goodie bag, and on field recognition for their service. We have never received funds from any outside source for this recognition program.”

For more, here are stories written by sister newspaper The Salt Lake Tribune and USA Today.