Brees has endorsement deals worth millions with P&G, Pepsi, Nike and WranglerGETTY IMAGES
The recent controversy around Saints QB Drew Brees "could impact" his off-field deals because "if the label of Brees being insensitive sticks, these companies may not want to offend their African American customers by having Brees pitch their products," according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Brees has endorsement deals "worth millions" with P&G, Pepsi, Nike and Wrangler, and his family foundation has "contributed over" $25M to charities in New Orleans and San Diego. He also reportedly has "signed a mega-bucks deal with NBC to join its NFL or Notre Dame broadcast team when he retires." But NBC has "time on its side since its reported contract with Brees is a futures deal." Nonetheless, network TV execs have "traditionally been very quick to cut and run on talent who is involved in controversy" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/7). In Boston, Ben Volin wrote it has been "fascinating to see Brees’s reputation in New Orleans tank so swiftly this past week." With one comment, the QB "turned his teammates, most of New Orleans, and most of the sports world against him." He "certainly created a huge mess for himself with his teammates and fans, and may still have some work to do to earn back his reputation" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/7).
