The NFL Draft April 23-25 will provide a test for the 58 prospects who are part of the “virtual” process, according to a report.
The Action Network writes those players will have to be careful about what products they decide to have during celebrations after being chosen. Why? Because the NFL has firm sponsorship deals with certain products and doesn’t want its draft choices crossing lines.
Per the report:
Prospective draftees will receive a welcome kit of products from NFL partners, including the following PepsiCo products: Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Bubly, Gatorade and Frito Lay snacks such as Cheetos, Doritos and Tostitos. Mars candy will also be included, which means Skittles, Snickers and M&M’s. …
Players’ clothing is also being closely dictated: They cannot wear logos of any brand other than an NFL team or an official league partner such as Nike, Adidas, Under Armour or New Era. Their clothing is also expected to be clean, free of liberal or hate speech, and cannot make a political statement. References to alcohol, drugs or gambling (including poker) are prohibited as well.
That means don’t toast with a Coca-Cola, which puts a dent in the Draft Day wallets of those 58 chosen.
A marketer said being allowed to negotiate only with league partners will cost potential top draft picks between $5,000 and $50,000 in one-off marketing opportunities on draft day.