Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Whenever a star athlete finds themselves embroiled in a personal scandal, sports media begins fixating on whether the athlete in question will be dropped by their corporate sponsors. Because it's not enough to priggishly shame a celebrity, the press wants to chide companies for having a business relationship with them. Because, obviously, if one exists, that means they must tacitly approve of whatever horrible thing the star did, right?
Tiger Woods offered much fodder for this department, being that he was the most bankable sports celebrity on the planet. Now it's Ben Roethlisberger's turn to earn the public's scorn, even though he hasn't been convicted of a crime, much less even charged with one. Nevertheless, two allegations of sexual assault have been made within the span of a year, so people are starting to wonder aloud about his conduct off the field.
Problem is, for a star of his caliber, Roethlisberger doesn't have a ton of endorsement deals. Darren Rovell, who is a bit of an expert in these things, commented on Twitter yesterday about the relative dearth of Big Ben marketing deals.
Ah, but there is Pittsburgh-based PLB Sports, which markets "Big Ben Beef Jerky". Like the quarterback's other sponsors, little-known entities such as Nike and Dick's Sporting Goods, the company is expressing misgivings about the allegations, but until more facts come to light, is unwilling to make any rash decisions about their business arrangement. One would assume if they choose to drop him, another celebrity would have to assume the jerky-hawking mantle.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Poor Ben, of all things to be endorsing.
by Radatz on Mar 9, 2010 4:04 PM EST reply actions
this can’t be real
by scurds on Mar 9, 2010 4:37 PM EST reply actions
"Honest baby it’s soft and tender."
Now we know what he told that poor girl in Georgia.
He was just trying to give her a stick of beef jerky.
by Craterlake on Mar 9, 2010 5:33 PM EST reply actions
is there a double entendre in there somewhere?
by scurds on Mar 9, 2010 5:48 PM EST reply actions
This is fantastic, oh the irony.
by dwb on Mar 9, 2010 6:26 PM EST reply actions
Big Ben Beef Jerky? that’s right up there with Mark Chumaras’ candy coated nuts.
by nfc beast on Mar 9, 2010 7:45 PM EST reply actions
and john daly’s underwear
by scurds on Mar 9, 2010 7:49 PM EST reply actions
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