Sponsors Talk.. The NFL Listens

The biggest advertiser with the NFL, Anheuser Busch (Budweiser) sent the NFL a strongly worded letter letting them know that they were disappointed with the actions that the NFL has taken, regarding the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson situations.

"We are disappointed and increasingly concerned by the recent incidents that have overshadowed this NFL season," a representative for Anheuser-Busch said in a statement. "We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code. We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league."

 

Radisson, based in Minnesota has pulled out of advertising in the Vikings games, and McDonald's, Visa and Campbell Soup have all expressed concerns with the NFL.

Coincidentally(?) the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings have placed Peterson on the NFL's exempt/commissioner's permission list until his child-abuse case is resolved, which bars him from all team activities. This was announced in a press release in the early morning hours on Wednesday, September 17th.

"After giving the situation additional thought, we have decided this is the appropriate course of action for the organization and for Adrian," Vikings owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf said in the statement. "We are always focused on trying to make the right decision as an organization.

"We embrace our role -- and the responsibilities that go with it -- as a leader in the community, as a business partner and as an organization that can build bridges with our fans and positively impact this great region. We appreciate and value the input we have received from our fans, our partners and the community."

Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, told The Associated Press that "This is the best possible outcome given the circumstances."

"Adrian understands the gravity of the situation, and this enables him to take care of his personal situation. We fully support Adrian, and he looks forward to watching his teammates and coaches being successful during his absence."