Papa John’s ends NFL sponsorship

Pizza chain Papa John’s is ending its sponsorship with the NFL, according to a report from CNN Money.

Last year, then CEO John Schnatter cited NFL player protests as the reason for the company’s faltering sales. The company later apologized for Schnatter’s comments in a series of tweets.

Current CEO Steve Ritchie commented on the sponsorship break in an earnings call, according to CNN Money’s Jill Disis.

“While the NFL remains an important channel for us, we have determined that there are better ways to reach and activate this audience,” CEO Steve Ritchie said.

Wednesday morning, the NFL announced a new partnership with Pizza Hut.

“We know many of our fans enjoy pizza while watching NFL games and we are thrilled to have Pizza Hut, an industry leader and one of America’s favorite brands, as an official league sponsor,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “With a focus on family, friends and fun, Pizza Hut has the creativity we are looking for in a partner and we look forward to working together with them to make the at-home NFL experience more exciting than ever for our fans.”

Papa John’s has been a huge part of the NFL for quite some time. As my colleague Harry Lyles points out, the company has been one of the league’s most “visible brands” and we saw as much at the end of Super Bowl 50:

“Peyton Manning held it down in commercials over the years, and he even kissed Papa John after he won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos.

Manning went to find Papa John with the quickness, too. He hadn’t even gotten his championship hat, and was able to find his cash cow, give him some awkward dap, and seal it with a smooch.”

Papa John’s will continue sponsorships with 22 teams in the NFL. According to a statement shared by ESPN’s Darren Rovell, the decision to end the sponsorship was a mutual decision from both the league and Papa John’s.