Another NFL Sponsor Quits as Tensions over National Anthem Protests Reach New Heights

The NFL has lost yet another sponsor as tensions over players protesting the National Anthem has reached new heights. The owner of Flemington Car and Truck Country announced their ads will no longer run during NFL games.

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.

Allan Jones, CEO of Hardwick Clothing and Check Into Cash payday loan company, announced last Tuesday he is through with sponsoring the wardrobes and advertising on the NFL.

Hardwick Clothing is America’s oldest suit maker.

In his statement Jones said, “Our companies will not condone unpatriotic behavior!”

The Times Free Press reported:

Two years ago, Cleveland, Tenn., businessman Allan Jones was proudly showing off his newly acquired Hardwick Clothing-brand suits by providing the wardrobe for NBC’s on-air talent during the network’s broadcasts of NFL football games.

But after NFL players and coaches challenged President Donald Trump and many took a knee during the national anthem played before their games over the weekend, Jones said he is through sponsoring the wardrobes or advertising on stations that air the National Football League.

Jones, CEO of the payday lending chain Check Into Cash and owner of Hardwick Clothes — America’s oldest suit maker — tweeted his criticism and change of heart Tuesday.

On Friday Allan Jones told Varney and Co. he suspended all NFL ads for the rest of the year.

Jones also responded to Tennessee Titans player Delanie Walker who told NFL fans to stay home if he doesn’t like the anthem protests.

Jones responded, “Well, I’m staying home. I’m going to do what he says.”

Via Varney and Co.:

Last Sunday over 200 NFL players knelt during the US national anthem on Gold Star Mothers Day.

Thursday night in Green Bay, the Packers and Bears players ALL stood for the anthem.

They linked arms for social justice.

The NFL players are trying to spin what they are doing as ‘unity’ when we all know they are still protesting.

After the game on Thursday Aaron Rogers blamed President Trump for the NFL kneelers.
What a disgrace.

Aaron Rogers: This is about something bigger than that. An invitation to show unity in the face of some divisiveness from the top in this country.

The spin is not working.

A new Yahoo Finance poll found 62% of Americans plan on watching less NFL games following these anti-police anthem protests. 32% say they will not attend a game they were planning on attending.

Yahoo Finance reported:

Is it a passing storm or an existential problem? That’s a key question for the NFL as it grapples with the mushrooming controversy of players kneeling in protest during the national anthem, and President Donald Trump’s persistent bashing of the kneelers.

A new Yahoo Finance poll suggests the NFL has an enduring problem on its hands. Nearly 62% of 9,056 respondents told us they plan to watch less pro football in response to the anthem controversy. Thirty-six percent said they plan to buy less NFL merchandise, and 32% have chosen not to attend a game they would otherwise have gone to. Those findings all have financial implications for the NFL and its 32 team owners.

We wanted to limit our survey, conducted online via SurveyMonkey from Sept. 28-29, to people who patronize the NFL, and exclude people who have an opinion but don’t watch football.

 

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