Papa John’s is no more at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins introduced Paisano’s as the team’s new official pizza sponsor during Wednesday’s “Taste of FedEx Field” event. The move was in place before Papa John’s founder John Schnatter stepped down as chairman of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees after admitting earlier this month to using the n-word during a conference call.
According to Scott Allen of the Washington Post, Paisano will have five concession locations at the Redskins’ stadium. The pizza company also announced the deal prior to Wednesday’s event.
https://twitter.com/pizzapaisanos/status/1016718333998190592
Meanwhile, the Redskins will continue to partner with local Papa John’s franchise with their promotional deals for customers. Deals have included 50 percent off on large pizzas and specials at $9.99 with free toppings for each touchdown scored the day after a Redskins’ win.
âWe have had an 18-year relationship with the local DMV area Papa Johnâs franchisees and know them personally as a diverse group of small business owners who are committed to bettering their communities,â Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie told the Washington Post. âWe are pleased to continue this relationship as the local Papa Johnâs franchisees will continue their long history of charitable support to give back to many organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation.â
Also, earlier this year, the NFL replaced Papa John’s as its official pizza sponsor with Pizza Hut after both Papa John’s and the league mutually agreed to end their sponsorship agreement following controversial words of Schnatter, who blamed the NFL players’ protest during the National Anthem for his company’s declining sales.
The Redskins’ announcement comes days after the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, and several other MLB clubs severed or suspended ties with Papa John’s following the controversy of its founder. Recently, the Seattle Seahawks became the first NFL franchise to drop Papa John’s. Like the NFL, the Seahawks chose Pizza Hut as their new pizza sponsor. Other teams around professional sports, including the Washington Wizards and Capitals, who are both owned by Ted Leonsis’ Monumental Sports and Entertainment, are reviewing their partnerships with Papa John’s.
