PURCHASE, N.Y. & ST. LOUIS -- Two of the National Football League's biggest sponsors---PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch--have weighed in over how NFL executives, teams and players are handling the recent high-profile domestic violence and child abuse scandals.
Indra Nooyi, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., issued the following statement:
"I am a mother, a wife and a passionate football fan. I am deeply disturbed that the repugnant behavior of a few players and the NFL's acknowledged mishandling of these issues, is casting a cloud over the integrity of the league and the reputations of the majority of players who've dedicated their lives to a career they love. When it comes to child abuse and domestic violence, there is no middle ground. The behaviors are disgusting, absolutely unacceptable and completely fly in the face of the values we at PepsiCo believe in and cherish.
"Given PepsiCo's longstanding partnership with the NFL, I know Roger Goodell. We have worked together for many years. I know him to be a man of integrity, and I am confident that he will do the right thing for the league in light of the serious issues it is facing.
"Over the past several days, it is increasingly apparent that the NFL is starting to treat these issues with the seriousness they deserve. Hiring former FBI director Robert Mueller to conduct a thorough investigation is a positive step, as is hiring three prominent women with significant, relevant expertise and assigning another, who is an NFL official, to help shape its domestic violence policies. These individuals must now be given the necessary time to review all relevant facts so that corrective actions can be taken, and well-tailored and effective policies against domestic violence and child abuse can be implemented immediately.
"The reality for Commissioner Goodell and the NFL is that they now have an opportunity to effect positive change with the situation presented to them. I urge them to seize this moment. How they handle these cases going forward can help shape how we, as a nation, as a society, and as individuals treat domestic violence and child abuse."
And Anheuser-Busch issued the following statement:
"We are 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. We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league."
The NFL will implement educational programs on domestic violence and sexual assault for all league and team personnel beginning in the next 30 days, Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a memo to teams and staff cited by USA Today.
Goodell also announced "long-term partnerships to provide financial, operational and promotional support" to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The initiative is the latest in a series of moves by Goodell and the league to show they are serious about combating the issue of violence towards women in light of recent situations involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy and others.
"These are by no means final steps," Goodell's memo said. "We will continue to work with experts to expand and develop long-term programs that raise awareness, educate and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault both within the NFL and in our society in general."
Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Its main businesses are Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola.
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch brews Budweiser and Bud Light among many other brands. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leuven, Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev.
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