News
Will Your Favorite Vodka Sponsor Your Favorite Football Team?

Published:
Last Updated:
The Smirnoff Saints? The Johnnie Walker Jets? Maybe not, but it’s about to become easier for all 32 NFL teams to form sponsorship alliances with wine and spirits companies, and for players to appear in ads for beer.
According to an email sent Tuesday by the National Football League to team presidents and other executives and leaked to the market research firm Morning Consult, the NFL is easing its previous restrictions on the use of player likenesses and team associations in beer, wine, and liquor advertising.
Overturning its previous rules, the NFL will now permit active players to be associated with beer brands, as long as the ads don’t imply that they’re actually endorsing the products. In addition, if a brand wants to use more than one player’s likeness, they have to use a minimum of six.
Sponsors must also utilize licensed Associated Press images of the athletes in uniform, and sign a sponsorship deal with the player’s team. So who will probably take advantage of the rule change? At least some of America’s biggest beer brands.
Unlike their beer counterparts, wine and spirits brands will still be barred from using active players in their ads, but will now be allowed to be described as a team’s official product. They will also be able to use team logos on their packaging and other materials, with some restrictions.
Athletes who appear in ads will receive a share of the fees paid. Will the players with the most Super Bowl rings command the highest prices?
The other major sports leagues — the NBA and MLB — have no prohibitions against the appearance of active players in beer advertising, though the practice has been rare.
The average American spends $17,274 on debit cards a year, and it’s a HUGE mistake. First, debit cards don’t have the same fraud protections as credit cards. Once your money is gone, it’s gone. But more importantly you can actually get something back from this spending every time you swipe.
Issuers are handing out wild bonuses right now. With some you can earn up to 5% back on every purchase. That’s like getting a 5% discount on everything you buy!
Our top pick is kind of hard to imagine. Not only does it pay up to 5% back, it also includes a $200 cash back reward in the first six months, a 0% intro APR, and…. $0 annual fee. It’s quite literally free money for any one that uses a card regularly. Click here to learn more!
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings to provide coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.