Yankees suspend relationship with Papa John’s

Add the Yankees to the growing list of sports teams distancing themselves from the Papa John’s pizza franchise.

In wake of Papa John’s founder John Schnatter using the n-word on a conference call with marketing executives in May, the Yankees announced on Friday that they are suspending their relationship with the company.

“In response to the reprehensible remarks made by Papa John’s founder and owner, the New York Yankees are suspending their relationship with the company,” the team said in a statement.

The Yankees follow the lead of the Marlins and Rays, who suspended their relationship with Papa John’s on Thursday. The Yankees had been selling the pizza brand at the Stadium prior to the annoucement.

Earlier on Friday, the University of Louisville announced they were removing Papa John’s from the name of their football stadium, which will now just be called “Cardinal Stadium.”

Schnatter has since apologized and stepped down as chairman of the company.

As the Yanks and other teams distance themselves from the embattled pizza chain, CEO Steve Ritchie attempted to fend off the negative publicity in an open letter sent Friday.

“Papa John’s is not an individual,” Ritchie wrote. “Papa John’s is a pizza company with 120,000 corporate and franchise team members around the world. Our employees represent all walks of life, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace for all.

One team sticking with the national pizza joint is Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys. Jones is a part-owner of 120 Papa John’s stores in Texas, the newspaper reported.

Last year Schnatter blamed NFL players peacefully protesting police brutality during the national anthem for the sagging sales of his pizza.