bizarrely injected himself into the controversy over players using the national anthem as a vehicle of protest. His calls for fans to boycott games and his reference to a player who kneels as a "son of a bitch" even drew criticisms from at least 14 team owners, including some who rank as his supporters. Even noted Trump supporter Tom Brady said Trump was wrong.And the president even drew the ire of NBA fans and players after a weekend Twitter rant singled out basketball star Stephen Curry, causing LeBron James — who has as many Twitter followers as Trump — to call the president a "bum."But one sport that doesn't seem fazed? NASCAR.USA Today reports that no one took a knee or otherwise protested during the national anthem Sunday at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in Loudon, N.H. And in fact, two team owners threw their solidarity behind the president."Get you a ride on a Greyhound bus when the national anthem is over," team owner Richard Childress responded when asked … [Read more...] about Trump’s comments inflame NFL and NBA, but NASCAR? Not so much
Nfl
Louisiana sheriff calls for boycott of Ford over NFL national anthem protests
Ford Motor Company's position on NFL players protesting during the national anthem. Sheriff Whittington wrote a letter to Hixson Ford in Alexandria, La., to inform them that "recent events surrounding the NFL, its players and their audacity to thumb their collective noses at the American flag, the American military, as well as their obvious disdain for the profession of law enforcement in general, forces me to take a stand." That "stand" means the refusal to purchase any more Ford vehicles after FoMoCo issued a statement on the matter that didn't condemn the protests.Last month, President Trump said the NFL should fire players that don't stand for the anthem. Ford issued two statements in response, the second one saying, "We respect individuals' rights to express their views, even if they are not ones we share. That's part of what makes America great."In response, Whittington's letter to local dealer Hixson Ford says, "The Bossier Sheriff's Office will no longer purchase Ford vehicles … [Read more...] about Louisiana sheriff calls for boycott of Ford over NFL national anthem protests
GMC vehicles earn spot on Madden NFL 25’s roster
Super Bowl MVP gets a Chevrolet Corvette. Last year's MVP, Joe Flacco, took delivery of a C7 Corvette Stingray after leading the Baltimore Ravens to victory over the San Francisco 49ers.In the video game world of the Madden NFL series, the Super Bowl MVP gets a 2014 GMC Sierra Denali. Why no Stingray in the video game? Because GMC inked a deal with EA Sports for the truck and SUV builder to be named the official vehicle of the football video game's twenty-fifth anniversary edition.The new Sierra Denali will be joined by the Yukon, Acadia, and Terrain in game, with stadium promotions for the brand throughout the season. Yes, even when you're beating the hell out of your buddy who insists on playing with the hateful Cowboys, you'll be seeing commercials. (Hold your keystrokes, Cowboy fans. We're just kidding. Sort of.)Expect to see plenty of other GMC imagery as well, with a "Never Say Never Moment of the Week" in-season feature that displays spectacular plays throughout the week's … [Read more...] about GMC vehicles earn spot on Madden NFL 25’s roster
You can now Uber a Ford F-150 for tailgating at NFL games
Ford F-Series has been named as the official truck of the NFL, whatever that means. To kick things off, the automaker is giving fans in New York the ability to order a "Built Ford Tough Tailgate Truck" on demand through Uber. The NFL-backed tailgate F-Series trucks will bring fans tailgate food, tickets, and merchandise.The ability to get a tailgate truck through Uber is currently limited to New York, but Ford will also offer a tailgate tour in various cities where NFL fans can win tailgate parties, tickets to games, and access to their own Ford tailgate truck. The sponsorship is for three years and includes America's best-selling truck, the Ford F-150, along with the automaker's Super Duty trucks.Ford is also giving NFL fans the ability to enter the "Built Ford Tough Toughest Ticket" sweepstakes for a chance to win Super Bowl LI tickets, along with a new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty decked out to showcase the winner's favorite football team.The NFL has partnered with various … [Read more...] about You can now Uber a Ford F-150 for tailgating at NFL games
GM out, Hyundai in as NFL audibles auto sponsorship
Hyundai has officially replaced General Motors as the primary automotive sponsor of the National Football League, a position the American giant has occupied since 2001. Although the financial details of the deal weren't published, Automotive News reports that GM spent at least $25 million per year as part of its sponsorship deal, although after all was said and done, it worked out to more than $150 million per year.The move is a coup for Hyundai, which now gains the rights to NFL trademarks for use in its advertising. As part of the four-year agreement, the company also has advertising access to big off-season events, like the NFL draft and scouting combine, and will provide support vehicles during events like the Super Bowl."We are huge football fans at Hyundai and feel there is no better venue to reach consumers, increase consideration and tell the Hyundai brand story," Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's president and CEO, said in the attached statement. "We can't wait to show … [Read more...] about GM out, Hyundai in as NFL audibles auto sponsorship
Weekly Recap: Hyundai scores NFL sponsorship after GM exits
Hyundai replaced General Motors as the official automotive sponsor of the NFL with a four-season deal that was announced this week.Hyundai gets exclusive sponsorship rights for mainstream and luxury cars, though not for pickups – as it doesn't have one in its current portfolio. "There may be another automotive truck sponsor, but not one that competes with our vehicle lineup," a Hyundai spokesman said in an email. That leaves the door open for another truckmaker to enter the fray. GM used the NFL to promote its GMC division, which makes pickups and sport-utility vehicles. The Detroit automaker decided to quit the sponsorship, which it had held since 2001, a GM spokesman said.Financials were not released, but ESPN said the sponsorship will cost Hyundai $50 million a year, double what GM paid. It gives Hyundai access to NFL trademarks for use in its marketing and advertising, and Hyundai will provide promotional vehicles to the league for the Super Bowl and other events. Hyundai … [Read more...] about Weekly Recap: Hyundai scores NFL sponsorship after GM exits
Supercar Saturday: NFL Players’ Whips
With tomorrow’s Super Bowl XLII looking to silence the web, ForbsAutos.com [via MSNBC] offers a guide to NFL players’ whips. To wit: Orpheus Roye, a 6’4”, 330-pound, defensive tackle with the Cleveland Browns, owns seven vehicles: a 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class coupe, a 2005 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged, a 2006 Bentley Flying Spur, a 2007 Mercedes S550 sedan, and a “massive” 2007 Maybach 57S. “The Maybach makes me feel like I’m a king," he says. Which vehicles are the most popular amongst the football elite? “Every player wants a Yukon, Tahoe, Denali, Escalade, or a Range Rover. You’re not a ball player if you don’t have one of those in the garage,” says Kevin Shuler, of Elite Auto Concierge in Atlanta, GA. [Sample Forbes' NFL players' automotive slideshow here.] … [Read more...] about Supercar Saturday: NFL Players’ Whips
Adidas Giving Three Fastest NFL Combine Prospects New 911 Carreras
The annual NFL Combine is where pro-football hopefuls show off their stuff for team executives in the hopes of getting their names called on draft day. In recent years, it’s evolved into a high-profile, multi-day televised event, as well as a showcase for all the top shoe manufacturers, who battle to sign high-profile prospects to endorsement deals ahead of the festivities.Adidas is offering an additional incentive to perform well in the combine with the Porsche 911 Carrera you see here. Yes, the cheetah wrap is gawdawful, but there’s a point to it at least—it’s the same design Adidas put on its brand-new—deep breath, now—UNCAGED adizero 5-Star 40 football cleat.The company will give one such Porsche to each of the three fastest NFL prospects in the combine’s 40-yard dash. The catch? To be eligible to win the car, prospects must sign a shoe deal with Adidas before the combine … [Read more...] about Adidas Giving Three Fastest NFL Combine Prospects New 911 Carreras
Hyundai New Official Sponsor Of NFL, Official Truck Title Open To Others
Are you ready for some football? Along with some bulgogi and a pack of Hite? Hyundai is, as it is the new official automotive sponsor of the NFL.According to ESPN, Hyundai will pay $50 million per year for the honor of taking up where General Motors will leave off beginning this season, The Detroit News reports. However, the deal only covers cars; the NFL can still award an “Official Truck of the NFL” to a sponsor of its choosing, so long as it doesn’t compete with Hyundai. The automaker’s official titles include car, SUV and luxury vehicle of the NFL.Though GM no longer is the official sponsor — it cancelled its $25 million/year agreement with the league earlier this year, bringing an end to a relationship begun in 2001 — truck brand GMC will still have a presence on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.”Hyundai’s sponsorship of the NFL joins other automakers and brands in the game, including Kia’s relationship with the NBA, … [Read more...] about Hyundai New Official Sponsor Of NFL, Official Truck Title Open To Others
Will Automakers Abandon Super Bowl Ads As NFL Ratings Drop?
Normally at this time of year, between Halloween and Thanksgiving, we start hearing about automakers’ television commercials for the upcoming Super Bowl. For decades, the National Football League’s championship game has been the marquee venue for car companies trying to make big impressions on consumers.As Super Bowl ads became an item of interest all on their own, many automobile manufacturers have crafted entire campaigns around their commercials for the “big game”, with teaser ads leading up to the event and long form and other alternate versions released once the primary ads are broadcast on Super Sunday.While it’s the highlight of American football, automakers from around the world pony up big bucks to display their wares before more than 100 million viewers. This year, though, with television ratings for the NFL in serious decline, it remains to be seen if the Super Bowl will continue to attract automakers’ advertising dollars, marks, pounds, … [Read more...] about Will Automakers Abandon Super Bowl Ads As NFL Ratings Drop?