The NFL has drawn the ire of pizza giant Papa John's.

According to The New York Daily News, in a call with shareholders this week, the company's leadership attributed a recent decline in sales on players protesting during the national anthem. 

Papa John’s founder and CEO John Schnatter (who stars in his company's commercials) didn't stop at blaming the players, but also blamed NFL Roger Goodell.

“The NFL has hurt us,” Schnatter said. “We are disappointed the NFL and its leadership did not resolve this.”

Papa John also expressed his frustration that the protests were still going on, whining that he thought they had been “nipped in the bud” a year and a half ago.

“Leadership starts at the top and this is an example of poor leadership,” Schnatter added.

Papa John’s president and chief operating officer Steve Ritchie also expressed his disappointment with the NFL and said he didn't think sales would improve so long as the protests continue.

“We expect it to persist unless a solution is put in place,” Ritchie said.

While the pizza giant's leadership makes its current sales figures sound dire, they have not released the numbers. It is known that NFL viewership is down five percent from this time last year, and that other NFL sponsors have made similar complaints to NFL leaders.

Papa John's is uniquely tied to the NFL however, by not just buying ad time, but by paying to be the "preferred pizza" of 23 of the league's teams.

While Papa John's wants the NFL to force its players to stand, Black Twitter wants Papa John's to take responsibility for its sinking sales and to consider hiring a different spokesperson.

The company currently pays former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning to endorse its product. (As Fox News reports, Manning has been involved in a high-profile sexual harassment scandal.) 

Schnatter has yet to respond to the criticism of his complaints.

 

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