Popular Brands Closely Intertwined with the NFL

In 2023 Forbes published their list of the most valuable sports teams on the planet and, despite only garnering a fragment of the viewing figures of soccer, American sports dominated the list. The Dallas Cowboys came in at Number 1 with an estimated value of $9.2 billion, nearly $3 billion more than the highest ranked soccer team – Real Madrid.

In fact 7 of the Top 10 and 14 of the Top 20 came from the NFL which tells us one thing – the NFL knows how to make money. One of the ways that the NFL makes money is by forging lucrative sponsorship deals with companies and brands that appeal directly to their viewership.

If we take a look at some of the most lucrative NFL sponsorship deals, it gives us a good idea of what brands the average NFL fan likes. In this article we explore exactly that by profiling 5 brands that, according to sponsorship deals, are most popular with NFL fans, read on to find out what they are…

Nike

Coming in at $120 million, Nike’s current sponsorship deal with the NFL is pretty darn big but of all the entries on the list this is probably the most misleading.

Naturally, anyone who is into sports is going to own at least one item of clothing or equipment made by Nike. In fact, they probably also own clothing made by Adidas, Puma and Under Armour so to say that Nike is uniquely loved by NFL fans would be wrong.

Nike’s current deal with the NFL is more about brand awareness and making sure that they’re still top dogs when it comes to sports apparel and equipment. What this entry on the list does tell us though is that, rather unsurprisingly, NFL viewers are big fans of sports clothes.

(What isn’t up for debate is the fact that Nike produce some of the best commercials out there.)

DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars

In total these three companies contribute $190 million to the NFL in sponsorship but that doesn’t necessarily mean that NFL fans swear by these three companies only.

Since the striking down of PASPA a few years ago the sports betting industry in this country has exploded; there is now increased competition from sites like Bovada so punters can look for the best offers and deals.

Like Nike, the inclusion of these three companies in particular indicates a trend – that NFL fans are jumping on the sports betting train in a big way.

Pepsi

The age old battle between Coca-Cola and Pepsi looked to be done a decade ago but in recent years Pepsi has come roaring back into the contest. A whole new marketing strategy coupled with a rebranding has reignited the battle between these two soda powerhouses.

If sponsorship deals are to be believed – Pepsi’s current deal with the NFL stands at a staggering $200 million – NFL fans clearly have a favourite and it’s not Coca-Cola!

(Pepsi are another one of the great commercial making companies.)

Anheuser-Busch

Each and every year Anheuser-Busch, the company responsible for Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Becks, Corna and Corona Light pay $230 million to the NFL in sponsorship. This fee not only allows them to advertise their products to viewers but it also makes them the official beer supplier in stadiums too.

We know you’re probably only picking yourself up off the floor after finding out the shocking news that NFL fans like to drink beer, but prepared to be shocked even more when we reveal to you the Number 1 brand that sponsors the NFL…

Verizon

The most popular brand with NFL fans going by the sponsorship numbers is mobile network provider Verizon. Each and every year Verizon pump in an estimated $300 million to the NFL so that they can call themselves (see what we did there?) ‘The Official Mobile Provider of the NFL’.

It’s a marketing strategy that is clearly working too as Verizon are the biggest provider in the country in terms of market share, with almost 25 million more users than nearest challengers T-Mobile. If the NFL really is the reason for Verizon’s market domination then they can look forward to that continuing for the next decade at least.

The provider recently worked out a new 10-year-deal with the league which is rumoured to be worth an estimated $1 billion.

(Verizon will continue to be the official mobile provider of the NFL for the next ten years at least.)