National Post

PIZZA CHAIN SAYS NFL HAS FUMBLED ON PLAYERS’ PROTEST

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Sales growth at Papa John’s is slowing, and the pizza chain is blaming it on the outcry surroundin­g NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. The company, which is a sponsor and advertiser of the NFL, said customers have a negative view of the chain’s associatio­n with the NFL. The company also cut its earnings growth expectatio­ns for the year and Papa John’s stock fell about 10 per cent Wednesday. “NFL leadership has hurt Papa John’s shareholde­rs,” said the chain’s CEO John Schnatter, in a call with analysts Wednesday. “This should have been nipped in the bud a year-and-a-half ago.” Schnatter said the controvers­y is hurting NFL ratings. “The controvers­y is polarizing the customer, polarizing the country,” he said.

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