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Anheuser-Busch, one of the NFL’s biggest sponsors, is weighing feedback from its customers on its sponsorship of the NFL. The NFL player protests of the National Anthem have backfired in a major way on the league. It has seen sponsors pull out, ratings decline and teams play in front of practically empty stadiums. But a sponsor like Budweiser ending its support of the league would be a devastating blow. And if the company’s hotline is to be believed, the NFL has something to be concerned about. When customers call the number, 1-800-342-5283, they are greeted by a recording which gives, as its first option, a chance for anyone for or against the player protests to voice their opinions. “If you are calling with questions or comments about Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship of the NFL, press one,” the recorded voice says. “At Anheuser-Busch we have a long heritage of supporting the nation’s armed forces, veterans and military dependants,” the voice says. “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.” And, in a video that has been watched more than 77,000 times, comedian Steve Spell II did exactly that. “I do not approve of the NFL football players protesting on the sideline while the National Anthem is playing. I do not approve of them taking a knee,” he said. “If you are supporting this, Anheuser-Busch, I will never buy your product again and I will ask all of my followers never to buy any of your products ever again.” “I want you guys to abandon the NFL until they stop taking a knee and disrespecting our flag,” he said. The video has been shared more than 2,500 times since Thursday. The company was inundated with so many calls that the helpline went offline on Friday, according to Fox 2 Now. Anheuser-Busch released the following statement regarding the controversy. “These are complex issues that require in-depth discussions and nuanced debate. What I can say is that at Anheuser-Busch we have a long heritage of supporting the institutions and values that have made America so strong,” it wrote. “That includes our armed forces and the national anthem as well as diversity, equality and freedom of speech. We proudly employ over 1,100 military veterans and we work every day to create an inclusive environment for all of our employees. Because only together can we achieve our dream of bringing people together for a better world.”
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Poster Comment:
I called the number. They are still taking comments about their NFL sponsorship.
#1: misterwhite To: Tooconservative (#0)
Yeah. I did too. I suggested a 6-month ad suspension no matter what the players did.
Here's a poser. Have you ever heard of any sponsor soliciting opinions when it's a liberal issue? If the players took a knee to support abortion or gay rights or a $30 minimum wage, would Anheuser-Busch ask for our opinion?
But when it's a conservative issue, the conduct a poll to give them an excuse to cancel their ads.
misterwhite posted on 2017-10-01 17:00:43 Reply Private Reply
#2: Tooconservative To: All (#0)
The Ravens took a page out of the Dallas Cowboys anthem playbook on Sunday, by taking a knee before the playing of the anthem, and then standing during it. In response, a stream of boos came descended on the players from the assembled crowd at M&T Bank Stadium:
— Jessie (@JMKTV) October 1, 2017
According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN, “Ravens players knelt before the national anthem began, and then rose. There was a clamoring of boos when the players knelt. Before the anthem, an announcement was made in the stadium for everyone to pray as a nation to embrace kindness, justice, unity and equality.” . . .
What does all this mean? It means that anthem demonstrations, whether they happen before or during the song, have become so toxic that Ravens fans are booing the Ravens, and not the hated Steelers.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-10-01 17:12:36 Reply Private Reply
#3: Tooconservative To: misterwhite (#1)
They're probably following a strategy. They'd rather support the libs and the protests but they are concerned about any boycott that hurts sales.
So they "listen" and, if necessary, they can use that as a basis to wiggle out of their sponsorship, cite the angry fans and their 11K vet employees as the reason.
Believe me, they are playing a crafty game with the full involvement of their marketing pros and their corporate lawyers. They don't intend to lose any more customers than they have to. If that means throwing the NFL under the bus, so be it.
The almighty dollar will rule, whether they'd prefer to favor the SJWs or not. SJWs are a lot more likely to be pot smokers than blue-collar Bud drinkers anyway.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-10-01 17:16:48 Reply Private Reply
#4: Hondo68 To: Tooconservative, National Anthem eliminated by Fox Sports, this Buds for You (#3)
The networks are throwing the National Anthem under the bus.
Fox Will No Longer Air the National Anthem
30 Sep 2017
The first major broadcast domino has fallen. In response to crashing ratings, plummeting ticket sales, and a public backlash fueled by none other than the leader of the free world, Fox Sports has decided to cry Uncle! Becoming the first major NFL broadcast partner to publicly say that they will no longer air the national anthem.
Hondo68 posted on 2017-10-01 22:44:12 Reply Private Reply
#5: Tooconservative To: hondo68 (#4)
And they might want to fill that time with more ads anyway. They aren't likely to just fill it with other football content.
We'll see if the fans light them up about it. This was just announced.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-10-01 22:59:19 Reply Private Reply
#6: Hondo68 To: Tooconservative (#5)
ShamWoW ads are much more action packed than that boring ol' National Anthem!
Hondo68 posted on 2017-10-02 00:07:24 Reply Private Reply
#7: Tooconservative To: hondo68 (#6)
Tooconservative posted on 2017-10-02 00:20:41 Reply Private Reply
#8: redleghunter To: Tooconservative (#0)
redleghunter posted on 2017-10-02 00:38:18 Reply Private Reply