Papa John's concessions stands will be closed at Marlins Park as the team searches for a new pizza vendor GETTY IMAGES
The Nationals on Friday "became at least the sixth MLB team to suspend their promotional deals" with Papa John's Pizza following the latest controversy around the company's namesake, according to Bieler & Allen of the WASHINGTON POST. Papa John's Founder John Schnatter this week admitted to and apologized for using the N-word in a May conference call, and the Nats in a statement said that they "do not condone discrimination of any kind." As part of the deal, customers received 50% off their Papa John's orders the day after the Nationals "scored at least seven runs in a win." The promo has "existed in various forms for years." The move comes after MLB on Wednesday suspended a league-wide promotion tied to players hitting grand slams(WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/13). The Mariners also have suspended their relationship with the chain. The club had a deal in which "if the team scored five runs, a Papa John's pizza was half-off the next day" (Q13FOX.com, 7/13).
QUICK ACTION IN FLORIDA: In Miami, Howard Cohen reports the Marlins were the first team to take action when on Thursday they "immediately suspended all promotions and its relationship" with Papa John’s, including "closing the Papa John’s concession stands at Marlins Park." The Marlins had a promo similar to the what the Mariners had. The team said that the Papa John’s stands "will be closed as of Friday, when the team begins a three-game series at home" against the Phillies. The team is working with concessionaires to find a pizza option "as quickly as possible," but is "not confident" it will be available this weekend. (MIAMI HERALD, 7/13). The Rays likewise "immediately suspended their discounted pizza promotion" with the chain that offered half-price pizzas "the day after the Rays scored six or more runs in a game" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/13).
MORE MLB TEAMS FOLLOW SUIT: In K.C., Pete Grathoff reports the Royals "are suspending" their deal with Papa John's that included a similar promo to the other teams. The Royals in a statement said, "We’re working with MLB and Papa John’s and will reassess during the All-Star break and decide how to proceed from there" (K.C. STAR, 7/13). The Orioles also have "suspended their 'Five Runs or More' online promotion" with Papa John's (BALTIMORE SUN, 7/13). The Astros "condemned the racial slur" made by Schnatter but gave "no indication they will cease their partnership with Houston Pizza Venture, the Houston business that owns the local Papa John's franchises." The team has a "10-year partnership with Houston Pizza Venture," and there is one "prominent Papa John's sign along the outfield wall at Minute Maid Park" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/13).
ON THE PITCH: In Orlando, Romero, Robbins & Culver note the Magic and Orlando City SC have "not decided whether to alter their partnerships with Papa John's" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/13). In Louisville, Kate Talerico notes USL club Louisville City FC is "evaluating options internally" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 7/13).
