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Favre's marketability takes a hit over scandal
Source: Agencies |
October 16, 2010, Saturday
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Over 20 seasons as an NFL quarterback, Brett Favre has taken plenty of hits on the field. Now his reputation is taking a hit, too.
The NFL is investigating a report that he allegedly sent below-the-waist naked photos of himself to a woman who worked for the New York Jets when he played for the team two years ago.
Favre has become one of America's most popular athletes by winning a Super Bowl, setting all kinds of passing and durability records and building an image as an everyday down-to-earth guy.
In his Wrangler jeans commercials, he plays a backyard game with a bunch of smiling and laughing guys while wearing a T-shirt, blue jeans and stubble.
Wrangler issued a statement on Thursday saying "we are following the story like everyone else."
"We are not making any major decisions on our marketing program until more information is available," Wrangler spokesman Rick French said.
Even if Favre ultimately avoids punishment from the league, it's clear that this damage - fair or not - will be difficult to repair.
Family guy
"It has certainly shifted to 'good family guy and one of us' to 'just like every other professional athlete' we can't trust," said sports marketing specialist Matt Delzell.
So will we still see Favre starring in television ads after he retires?
"I see it highly unlikely for the simple fact that the companies he endorses have hung their hat on his being a good-old-boy family guy in middle America," said Delzell, who is a director for the entertainment marketing agency Davie Brown Talent.
Favre has dodged all questions about the story, even when given opportunities to directly deny it's true. According to marketing and public relations analysts, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback has made the matter worse by not addressing it.
Asked after Minnesota's loss to the New York Jets on Monday if the allegation has been an embarrassment, Favre said, "I am embarrassed about this football game."
When Tiger Woods tumbled from grace following revelations of his infidelity, he took months to acknowledge his behavior and apologize for it. Favre doesn't have near the global stature that Woods does, and they also differ in their background.
Part of Favre's attraction to fans was the way he faced up to his past problems and overcame persistent personal tragedies to succeed on the field. His otherworldly performance the day after his dad died of a heart attack was one of the NFL's most memorable games of the past decade.
The NFL is investigating a report that he allegedly sent below-the-waist naked photos of himself to a woman who worked for the New York Jets when he played for the team two years ago.
Favre has become one of America's most popular athletes by winning a Super Bowl, setting all kinds of passing and durability records and building an image as an everyday down-to-earth guy.
In his Wrangler jeans commercials, he plays a backyard game with a bunch of smiling and laughing guys while wearing a T-shirt, blue jeans and stubble.
Wrangler issued a statement on Thursday saying "we are following the story like everyone else."
"We are not making any major decisions on our marketing program until more information is available," Wrangler spokesman Rick French said.
Even if Favre ultimately avoids punishment from the league, it's clear that this damage - fair or not - will be difficult to repair.
Family guy
"It has certainly shifted to 'good family guy and one of us' to 'just like every other professional athlete' we can't trust," said sports marketing specialist Matt Delzell.
So will we still see Favre starring in television ads after he retires?
"I see it highly unlikely for the simple fact that the companies he endorses have hung their hat on his being a good-old-boy family guy in middle America," said Delzell, who is a director for the entertainment marketing agency Davie Brown Talent.
Favre has dodged all questions about the story, even when given opportunities to directly deny it's true. According to marketing and public relations analysts, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback has made the matter worse by not addressing it.
Asked after Minnesota's loss to the New York Jets on Monday if the allegation has been an embarrassment, Favre said, "I am embarrassed about this football game."
When Tiger Woods tumbled from grace following revelations of his infidelity, he took months to acknowledge his behavior and apologize for it. Favre doesn't have near the global stature that Woods does, and they also differ in their background.
Part of Favre's attraction to fans was the way he faced up to his past problems and overcame persistent personal tragedies to succeed on the field. His otherworldly performance the day after his dad died of a heart attack was one of the NFL's most memorable games of the past decade.
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