NFL Boycott Causing Concerns

The NFL is crucial to Papa Johns business. The company began its partnership with NFL in 2010 and has "Preferred Pizza" partnerships with 23 NFL teams. Last year, the company signed a multi-year partnership with the NFL and the Super Bowl. Since late September people have been boycotting the NFL because many players have knelt during the national anthem to protest against racial inequality. This boycott has decreased Papa Johns in-game pizza sales as well as NFL ratings. NFL spokesperson Joe Lockhart confirmed that Papa Johns expressed concerns with the league. Lockhart also said that other top sponsors have expressed similar concerns as the NFL's T.V. ratings have decreased.