Pizza Hut becomes a sponsor of the NFL

Yum! Brands’ Pizza Hut has become the official new sponsor of the NFL. The pizza brand has signed a multiyear agreement with the league after Papa Johns severed ties with NFL, according to a report from CNBC.

In late 2017, former CEO and founder of Papa John’s, John Schnatter blamed their slowed pizza sales on political protests within the NFL.

“The NFL has hurt us by not resolving the current debacle to the players’ and owners’ satisfaction,” Schnatter said, according to reports. “NFL leadership has hurt Papa John’s shareholders.”

Schnatter and Papa Johns apologized for their comments not long after.

The announcement of Pizza Hut signing with NFL comes one day after Papa Johns ended their relationship on mutual terms. Papa John’s will work on partnerships with 22 NFL teams instead, according to a Dayton Daily News report.

Pizza Hut stated in a press release they had a long-standing tradition of connecting with football fans through promotions.

"Pizza Hut has a history of bringing more entertaining food and experiences to the pizza occasion and we plan to continue that through our exclusive partnership with the NFL," said Artie Starrs, President, Pizza Hut U.S. “We have an unmatched ability to bring [millions of] fans closer to the sport thanks to the power of our 7,500 restaurants and 150,000 football-crazed team members.”

Pizza Hut will make its partnership debut during the 2018 NFL draft in Dallas, Texas, according to Dayton Daily News.