Decades of using forums, running them as well, there are always General sections..
Even dedicated forums people run out of things to discuss and friendships are made.
This always leads to people talking about other topics to fill in time.
So, Off topic, General, Non X Related sections naturally pop up as a forum moderator, site owner needs a spot to put these threads.
There will be a way to stop sections of a forum not appearing in new posts or showing on the main website.
As some thread titles in NPR are well, just not fit for general public.
It is currently only viewable to registered members.
What I have seen done, effectively elsewhere is make a section password protected.
It shows nowhere on feeds, you only get in if you have a password.
So sponsor safe and then you also get to give out terms and conditions, like, beware.. Bad language, sensitive subject matter etc.
Enter at your risk, and don't cry about what is posted thereafter.
This way, the people that don't want to see it, read it, won't. Except by choice by asking for the password.
Adding more structure to NPR for sub sections would also be good.
Splitting out the fun threads, trivia, guides, cars, movie, music, hobbies etc.
Vs.
Sections on more adult themed, such as the famous sexy pics thread, and the more prickly legal threads and to be honest a political section is needed to keep it in one spot.
It also adds a layer of control by being password protected for Mike and the moderators.
Say someone gets out of line, you PM just the people who are ok with a new password.
Effectively locking out the person banned from the NPR section, but not banned from the entire site so they can post pool related stuff as per normal.
Some people lose their cool in NPR when they are losing a debate, but elsewhere they are posting good stuff.
So its not a total Banhammer approach.
This will sort it out once and for all, then the owners here don't have to worry about site image and sponsorship deals etc with a level of control they currently don't have over NPR.