Papa John’s Blames NFL National Anthem Protests for Lukewarm Pizza Sales
Start ordering extra cheese, America
Tony Maglio | November 1, 2017 @ 2:17 PM
Last Updated: November 1, 2017 @ 2:46 PM
Papa John’s pizza sales are getting cold, but the fast-food franchise has a good excuse for that — it’s all your fault, kneeling NFL players.
“The NFL has hurt us,” CEO John Schnatter said during a Wednesday call with media analysts. “And more importantly, by not resolving the current debacle to the players and owners satisfaction, NFL leadership has hurt Papa John’s shareholders.”
“This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago,” he added, referring to the divisive nature of the ongoing player protests, which started quietly last August and picked up steam this season.
NFL executives aren’t exactly throwing a pizza party over the 2017 regular season either. TV ratings are down, and the only thing anyone’s talking about is players’ “Star-Spangled Banner” participation — or the lack thereof — even on earnings calls for pizza companies.
On the news of the poorer-than-expected third-quarter financials, PZZA — Papa John’s clever stock symbol — closed down almost $6 per share today, or minus 8.5 percent from Tuesday.
Papa John’s is the National Football League’s official pizza partner, and retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning is the pizza company’s paid spokesperson.
9 Reasons Why NFL TV Ratings Might Be Down This Year (Photos)
After years of ratings dominance, viewing of NFL games on TV this season is down by 12 percent. But why? Click on to see some possible reasons.
Donald Trump The GOP nominee has impacted everything else, so why not football? Fans have understandably had a hard time paying attention to the game during this crazy White House campaign.
Peyton Manning The legendary QB has retired, depriving the NFL of one of its most recognizable faces.
Chicago Cubs Yep, as Cubs fan Bill Murray knows, the baseball team's fantasy journey from perennial losers to the World Series has been this fall's Cinderella story. Kinda makes football look puny in comparison.
Colin Kaepernick His principled refusal to stand for the national anthem has turned into a cause celebre that has polarized fans and generated bad PR for the NFL.
Thursday Night Football Hey, who (aside from New Englanders) wants to see the Patriots score a 27-0 blowout against the Texans? Didn't think so. Hardcore fans are complaining about the lousy match-ups on this season's schedule.
Ray Rice He may not play anymore, but the former running back is the symbol of ongoing domestic-violence scandals that have soured many fans on the sport.
NFL RedZone A lot of fans have gotten hooked on the special NFL-owned, game-day exclusive RedZone channel, hosted by Hanson. Unfortunately, that might mean lower ratings for broadcast partners.
Brett Favre Fan concern has steadily increased about the health effects on pros who took repeated hard hits during their career. Former QB Favre even said that his occasional memory lapses scared him and convinced him not to come out of retirement again. The worry has led to special game rules that some fans say has made the games boring.
Roger Goodell He may be "the most powerful man in sports," but the NFL commissioner has taken a lot of flak lately over issues from domestic violence to Deflategate - including from league owners, three of whom told The Daily Caller this year that it was time for a replacement.
