The NFL anthem protests have sickened Americans across the nation.
Ratings are falling and ticket sales are slumping.
But one heavyweight made a decision that drove a stake through the heart of the protests.
The NFL exists because of network TV rights fees.
Multi-billion dollar contracts with networks power the NFL juggernaut.
But that’s all in danger thanks to the anti-American national anthem protests.
A megacar dealer in New Jersey has yanked all its ads from NFL games over players disrespecting the flag.
NJ.com reports:
“In response to the ongoing controversy surrounding NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, the owner of Flemington Car and Truck Country has pulled the dealership’s ads from broadcasts of games for the remainder of the 2017 season.
“The National Football League and its owners have shown their fans and marketing partners that they do not have a comprehensive policy to ensure that players stand and show respect for America and our flag during the playing of the national anthem,” Steve Kalafer said in a statement. “We have cancelled all of our NFL advertising on the Optimum and Infinity (cable) networks.”
Kalafer is also part of the Somerset Patriots’ ownership group, an independent professional baseball team based in Somerset County.
“As the NFL parses the important nationwide issues of ‘social justice’ and ‘freedom of speech,’ it is clear that a firm direction by them is not forthcoming,” Kalafer said in the statement…
…Kalafer decided to pull the ads on Thursday after he said employees and customers commented on the disrespect they felt from players who have either knelt or locked arms during the playing of the national anthem.
“I’m talking to 99-percent of (my) contacts, and they agree that it’s disrespectful, it’s improper,” he said. “We couldn’t support the lack of direction.”
Flemington Car and Truck was not the first sponsor to drop the NFL.
A businessman in Cleveland pulled ads for every entity he owned off of game telecasts because of the anti-American protests.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Heavyweight Anheuser Busch Beer Company is polling the public on whether they should pull all of their ads from NFL games in the wake of the protests.
The Blaze reports:
“In the wake of increased national anthem protests by NFL players, Anheuser-Busch is reconsidering its NFL sponsorship, likely because the protests are very unpopular among everyday Americans. Bud Light currently serves as the official beer of the NFL.
So the company set up a hotline for fans to call and give their thoughts about the protests and Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship of the NFL. The number for the hotline is: 1-800-342-5283.
What does the hotline say?
When a customer calls the number, they are greeted by a recorded voice who gives them the opportunity to voice their opinions about the protests.
“If you are calling with questions or comments about Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship of the NFL, press one,” the voice says. “At Anheuser-Busch, we have a long heritage of supporting the nation’s armed forces, veterans and military dependents. The national anthem is a point of pride for our company and for the 1,100 veterans that we employ. Please feel free to share your feedback after the tone.”
Falling TV ratings –the league’s ratings are down 9% from 2016 – as well as sponsors yanking their ads are a dagger aimed at the heart of the NFL.
Without TV money, the league cannot survive.
The protests are now a clear and present danger to the NFL.
Will the league crackdown on the displays of anti-Americanism at games?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
