Jones: Are Advertisers About To Abandon The NFL?
BOSTON (CBS) - In the wake of news on Tuesday that advertisers including Nike, Radisson, Anheuser-Busch and others are distancing themselves from the Minnesota Vikings and the Adrian Peterson scandal, could more lucrative sponsors follow suit?
Despite their nonprofit status, the National Football League is a major corporation concerned with one thing and one thing only: the bottom line. Commissioner Roger Goodell has done a poor job of late in dealing with Peterson, as well as Ray Rice, Greg Hardy and Ray McDonald.
But maybe, just maybe, Goodell and the league will start to take notice, and action, when major sponsors actually pull the plug on them. 98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones believes Anheuser-Busch wields the most power in terms of forcing the league's hand into action on these criminal matters.
Anheuser-Busch's statement on Tuesday:
"We are disappointed and increasingly concerned by the recent incidents that have overshadowed this NFL season. We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code. We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league."
Jones gave credit to Anheuser-Busch and the other companies for speaking out, and believes the threat is real.
"I think a threat from a sponsor as central to the league like a beer company as Anheuser-Busch, even the threat is a nice step in the right direction. I think the NFL has to take notice of that. All 32 owners," said Jones. "I think it's more effective than congressional pressure and the Minnesota governor speaking out. It's more effective than Radisson. The threat from Anheuser-Busch is real, it's significant, and I wish they went that extra step and pulled all their advertising. They haven't gotten there yet, but it's still a step in the right direction."
Rich Keefe wonders if the letter from Anheuser-Busch is merely a public relations move, and questions their gumption if they would actually make that bold step. Regardless, Keefe agrees the sponsorship pressure from all angles is a positive.
Listen below for the full discussion:
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