Papa John's: NFL Anthem Protest Driving Away Customers

(RTTNews) - Papa John's (PZZA) has blamed the protests by NFL players during the national anthem as the reason for its slowing sales growth.

Papa John's, which is a sponsor and advertiser of the NFL, said the outcry related to NFL players kneeling during the national anthem to protest as well as falling NFL ratings has affected its sales. According to the company, customers have a negative view of the chain's association with the NFL.

"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."

Papa John's stock fell about 10 percent Wednesday after its earnings release.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had started the national anthem kneeling movement last year to show his protest against black people by the police. However, the hundreds of more players started kneeling after President Donald Trump urged team owners to fire players who protest during the anthem.

TV ratings for NFL games have dropped significantly this year, a second straight season of lower viewership.