The NFL remains by far the country's most popular sports league but a series of domestic abuse incidents involving its players this year has led to an outcry by scores of sponsors whose products fill retail shelves.
In nearly all cases, the league is facing criticism for its soft and/or delayed response to the incidents.
In one case, the NFL gave a two-game suspension to Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens after seeing video of him dragging his knocked-out fiancé out of an elevator. Only after a video surfaced showing him visually punching her did the NFL decide to suspend him indefinitely.
In the second incident, Adrian Peterson, a star running back with the Minnesota Vikings, was indicted for child abuse in Texas. He was initially going to be allowed to play for his team yesterday but was seemingly deactivated only after the gruesome details of the beating took place and news arrived that he had been accused of beating another son last year.
Three other players are also currently facing domestic violence charges and the incidents build on a string of criminal incidents involving players in recent years.
Violence on the playing field is also keeping many parents from letting their kids play football. The NFL admitted in court documents earlier this month that it expects almost a third of players to suffer health problems, such as dementia, from concussions.
With calls from women's groups and others for the resignation of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as well as involvement by Congress, many sponsors took the unusual step of criticizing the league.
Anheuser-Busch said it is "disappointed and increasingly concerned by the recent incidents that have overshadowed this NFL season."
"We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code," the maker of Budwesier said.
Budweiser was also the subject of an embarrassing tweet pointing to the connection between domestic violence and alcohol.
Pepsico, another major sponsor of the league, issued a statement, "Domestic violence is completely unacceptable. We are encouraged to see the NFL is now treating this with the seriousness it deserves."
McDonald's said: "As McDonald's is a family brand, we've communicated our concerns to the league, and we expect it to take strong and necessary actions to address these issues."
Castrol, Campbell's Soup, Procter & Gamble's Cover Girl and Visa also joined the chorus of advertisers criticizing the NFL. (An activist retouched a Cover Girl ad to depict a battered woman.)
So far, only one company, the Radisson hotel chain, decided enough was enough, suspending its sponsorship of the Vikings.
Despite the scandals, ticket sales to games have remained strong.
- The politics of outrage - The Economist
- Anheuser-Busch, Pepsico, McDonald's, Campbell's Soup, Visa among sponsors criticizing NFL over Rice, Peterson scandals - New York Daily News
- Brands Sound Off on the NFL's Brutal Episodes [Updated] Budweiser, Radisson send pro football a message - Adweek
- Concussions, domestic violence, child abuse ... how much can NFL take? - CBS Sports
- Outrage Over Violence Ends at the Stadium Gates - The New York Times (tiered sub.)