NFL Players Can No Longer Wear Beats Headphones on Camera

Microsoft is already having a bit of a branding issue when it comes to the NFL, and it now appears that the NFL is looking to nip a future problem in the bud. The NFL has an exclusive contract with Bose, and part of that agreement features language that prohibits headphones from other manufacturers appearing on camera. In this case, it seems as if the NFL is specifically targeting the Beats brand. Players are not allowed to wear Beats during pre-game warmups or during post-game interviews. I suppose they aren’t allowed to wear them during the game, either, though this seems like an unlikely scenario.

According to the NFL, Bose isn’t the one actually making the stink. The league is. According to their statement (via Re/Code):

“The NFL has longstanding policies that prohibit branded exposure on-field or during interviews unless authorized by the league. These policies date back to the early 1990s and continue today,” an NFL spokesperson said in a statement. “They are the NFL’s policies – not one of the league’s sponsors, Bose in this case.  Bose is not involved in the enforcement of our policies. This is true for others on-field.”

The NFL is big business. They make a killing via TV rights, ticket and merchandise sales, and a slew of branding deals. But they also lean heavily on sponsorships. In the 2013-14 season, the NFL and their teams brought in about $1.07 billion through sponsorships alone. Needless to say, they want to keep sponsors happy. The recent fallout from the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson suspensions further proved that. With Bose v. Beats, the NFL is looking for an easy win to keep at least one sponsor happy.

The NFL has a long way to go to recoup its image with some fans. They will be under a large microscope for some time. And they know that their sponsors know that as well. They may take a hit with players after taking away their preferred brand of headphones, but it looks like that’s a price the NFL is willing to pay.

(Header image via Titanas)