Because of the amount. If it were around $20,000 then yes, I would see your point, but $200,000 to "boost the morale" of football fans (who obviously don't care enough to buy tickets for themselves) is crazy.
How many of her critics would say that she was better off donating that money to a homeless shelter, or needy families, or Iraqi veterans, or Katrina victims, or instert charity here....she would be lampooned in the press and by her opponents.