The NFL got a "much-need vote of confidence Thursday," as PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi "lent her support to embattled NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league in general," according to E.J. Schultz of AD AGE. Nooyi said the recent player incidents are "casting a cloud over the integrity of the league." But she added, "I know Roger Goodell. We have worked together for many years. I know him to be a man of integrity, and I am confident that he will do the right thing for the league in light of the serious issues it is facing." Nooyi's statement came after a Bloomberg News story "raised questions about the relative silence of three female CEOs of major sponsors, including Ms. Nooyi, General Motors CEO Mary Barra and Campbell Soup Co. CEO Denise Morrison" (ADAGE.com, 9/17). USA TODAY's David Leon Moore notes PepsiCo also called on Goodell to "use these controversies as an opportunity for leadership in the face of the charged climate." The company's statement came one day after Anheuser-Busch also released a statement "expressing dissatisfaction with the way the league had been handling the incidents" (USA TODAY, 9/17). Meanwhile, former A-B sports marketing exec Tony Ponturo said of the brewer's statement, "They are making a statement to the NFL that they have to address this. I think we want all corporations to have their own conscience, but it actually grows when your customers and your retailers and your distribution system and your own employees say, 'What are we going to do about this as a company?'" ("Closing Bell," CNBC, 9/17).
CAUGHT IN CHARLOTTE'S WEB: In Charlotte, Rick Rothacker in a front-page piece reports Bank of America is monitoring the NFL's "handling of player misconduct issues," but the company "stopped short of criticizing" the league or the Panthers. BofA Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer Anne Finucane said, "We’re watching closely and remain hopeful that the league will devote its energy to promoting the safety of women and children and helping put an end to domestic violence." Rothacker notes the bank, which has held the naming rights to the Panthers' stadium since '04, "did not directly comment" on the team or DE Greg Hardy's domestic violence case. Among other Panthers sponsors, CPI Security Systems said that it "has the 'utmost respect for the Carolina Panthers’ organization' and will continue to monitor the situation." Harris Teeter said that it "remains a sponsor 'but continues to follow this story closely'" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/18).
DID THE VIKINGS RIGHT THE SHIP? In Minneapolis, Vensel & Kaszuba in a front-page piece report the Vikings' move to place RB Adrian Peterson on the exempt player list yesterday "appeared to satisfy on large corporate sponsor, U.S. Bank, which is the leading candidate to secure naming rights for the new Vikings stadium." U.S. Bank Senior VP/Corporate Communications Dana Ripley said the company "agrees" with the team's decision. But a Radisson spokesperson said that the company "would not immediately change its stance in light of the team's decision not to play Peterson." The Radisson logo, which "had previously appeared on the backdrop at team news conferences, was not displayed Wednesday." Meanwhile, Target yesterday began "taking down Peterson’s No. 28 jerseys and other merchandise." Peterson had been "featured in an exclusive line of football T-shirts sold at Target this fall in a partnership with Pro Merch" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/18). ADWEEK's Christopher Heine noted Radisson "immediately began to reap benefits" from cutting ties with the Vikings. Data from Amobee Brand Insights showed that on Tuesday alone, Radisson "received enough social, Web and mobile impressions to account for 58 percent of its total online consumption (impressions plus mentions) for the last three months." Amobee Exec VP/Products & Marketing Ammiel Kamon said, "Basically, Radisson gets a (full) quarter's worth of free publicity for the move, all because they were the company during this current NFL (public relations) crisis willing to take the most definitive stand against domestic violence" (ADWEEK.com, 9/17).
SPONSORS STRADDLING THE FENCE: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Germano, Vranica & Clark note brand marketers are "facing a difficult task: how to make a strong statement against wrongdoing like domestic violence and child abuse without jeopardizing their lucrative and mutually beneficial deals with the league." For now, big advertisers "have stopped short of taking the most aggressive steps, such as pulling their TV ad dollars or canceling major league sponsorships and contracts." Instead, most are "publicly condemning alleged misconduct by NFL players, while promising to monitor the situation." Many advertisers "see the NFL's telecasts as a vital component of their campaigns." However, some ad buyers have "expressed nervousness about running ads during specific NFL games," such as the Steelers-Ravens game last Thursday night. Branding consulting firm Siegel + Gale Strategy Dir McNeal Maddox said brands "can't turn a blind eye (to the alleged violence) if you are promoting a very wholesome culture." But he added that it would be "extreme for a marketer to cancel a big sponsorship with the league because of the specific actions of one or two players" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/18).
PETERSON KEEPS LOSING DEALS: Nike suspended its sponsorship deal with Peterson yesterday, and ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reported as of last night, Peterson's jersey "was no longer available on the NFL's official online store, NFLShop.com, or any Nike stores, as well as the company's online site." Nike Media Relations Dir KeJuan Wilkins in a statement said, "Nike in no way condones child abuse or domestic violence of any kind and has shared our concerns with the NFL. We have suspended our contract with Adrian Peterson." Rovell noted Nike's new stance "means that the company will not be paying Peterson under the terms of his endorsement contract." Meanwhile, Hyperice also "ended its endorsement relationship with Peterson on Wednesday" (ESPN.com, 9/17).
