The NFLPA sent an email to all NFL agents on Thursday, saying the union does not advise player endorsements of cannabinoid or CBD companies. "We received several inquiries regarding NFL players’ ability to engage in promotion and endorsement of CBD companies," the NFLPA said in the email. "At the beginning of the 2020 season, the NFL released the new rules promulgated by the league governing players and endorsements." The union attached a copy of the commercial substance policies and endorsements section of the agreement. It noted in the letter that with limitations, "NFL players, coaches, and other employees must not endorse or appear in advertisements for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or cannabinoid products." The words "must not endorse" and "cannabinoid" were in bold italics in the email. "(emphasis added)," the union added. An NFLPA spokesperson yesterday had no comment other than to refer to the memo.
TRENDING TOPIC: The email to agents comes a day after Browns QB Baker Mayfield announced he was becoming an investor in and ambassador for Beam, a CBD company that is already endorsed by Danica Patrick and golfer Billy Horschel. Attempts to reach Mayfield's marketing agent Chris Talbott on Thursday were unsuccessful. Last year, then-retired TE Rob Gronkowski announced that he was partnering with CBD products company CBDMedic. He is now playing for the Buccaneers and appeared on that company's website on Thursday.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: Pro Football HOFer Brett Favre is a spokesperson for Green Eagle, which offers a CBD product line, and he said, "If you had said to me two years ago or a year ago that I would entertain CBD or be a spokesman, I would have said you’re crazy because, I like most people in the United States, relate CBD with marijuana and I certainly don’t do that." Favre said he “tried it and surprisingly, it worked because I’m probably the toughest sell, as you can imagine, on products like that” (“Greeny,” ESPN Radio, 10/14).
