2 Parties Very Accustomed to Controversy Join Forces as Washington Commanders Make Bud Light the Official Beer Sponsor of the Team
(Image: Washington Commanders)
Bud Light is now the Official Beer Sponsor of the Washington Commanders. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Bud Light was the official beer sponsor of the Commanders previously, until March 2022, when it severed ties with the NFL team.
Although the beer brand did not name a reason for ending the last partnership, the move came following two years of investigations into the Commanders’ workplace culture and allegations of sexual harassment by then-team owner Dan Snyder
On Thursday, the Commanders announced a multi-year partnership with Anheuser-Busch, making Bud Light the Official Beer Sponsor of the Washington Commanders again.
“We are thrilled to partner with Anheuser-Busch again to create a new and improved experience for Commanders fans,” Washington Commanders President Jason Wright said in a news release. “Bringing Anheuser-Busch back to FedExField as a partner not only reflects their confidence in our organization, but also their commitment to our fans, who are the most loyal in NFL. More importantly, we are pleased to have a partner who shares our commitment to giving back and to supporting our military, as we continue to expand engagement programs locally for first responders and families of fallen soldiers.”
The Commanders also announced they, Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light will honor the veteran and first-responder community with experiences and fan recognition. The team’s offensive players will wear a Folds of Honor patch on their practice jerseys all season long in tribute to the Folds of Honor nonprofit, which provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members, as well as the families of first responders.
Bud Light will also be the presenting sponsor of Hometown Heroes, an intiative to honor a local first responder during each regular-season home game.
“We are excited to have the Commanders back on our NFL roster,” Matt Davis, VP of partnerships at Anheuser-Busch, said in the news release. “This partnership continues to further our commitment to football and its local fanbases across the country. As the Official Beer Sponsor of the NFL, we want to show up in moments that matter for football fans all year long. Our history with the Washington franchise runs deep, and these fans are some of the most loyal and passionate fans in the nation. We’re excited to bring more easy enjoyment to fans throughout the year.”
Since then, however, the franchise has been by Snyder to a group led by billionaire investor Josh Harris.
Bud Light has faced boycotts and been branded as “woke” in recent months since partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Several Twitter users voiced their displeasure with the team for partnering with Bud Light.
“Woke team goes with woke beer, makes sense,” wrote one user. Plenty of other users replied to the Commanders’ tweet announcing the partnership with anti-trans sentiment, including one user who wrote, “NO TRANS.”
The partnership will give fans “more chances than ever” to win one-of-a-kind experiences, the Commanders said.
About the Washington Commanders and Bud Light Partnership
Washington Commanders and Bud Light Fan Experiences
Bud Light will sponsor events and giveaways, starting with the Commanders Season Kickoff Party, which will take place at 5 p.m. Sept. 8 at Franklin Park in Northwest Washington, D.C.
The party will feature fan giveaways, live entertainment, performances, meet-and-greets and special appearances from Commanders platers. The event is open to the public. Fans can register to attend here.
Another event planned is the Bud Light Easy to Summer Concert Series, which the brands say will bring “some of the biggest artists around the world” to FedExField. The companies will also host the Fly Away Sweepstakes, which will give fans a chance to win tickets and accommodations to an away game.
Washington Commanders and Bud Light Gameday Integration and Digital Content
At Legends Plaza within the Commanders’ stadium, fans will find the Bud Light Backyard, which will have live music, yard games and local food trucks prior to kickoff.
After wins, the Bud Light Backyard will be open for postgame celebrating.
Anheuser-Busch will also open the Bud Light End Zone in the main concourse. The Bud Light End Zone is described as “a gathering place for 21 and over fans to grab a beer and cheer on the team.”
Additionally, digital content will be promoted across the social media channels of the Commanders and Bud Light. The content will begin with the Countdown to the Season, a series celebrating the return of the NFL season. Bud Light will also be the presenting sponsor for the Commanders’ post-game victory speeches throughout the season. Furthermore, Bud Light will host the Easy to Celebrate series, which will highlight the “most exciting” player celebrations each game.
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