2023 NFL draft sponsor Bud Light controversy: Fans could boycott event over Dylan Mulvaney partnership

Published Apr 14, 2023 08:50 GMT

Dylan Mulvaney is not well-liked by NFL fans (image via Envato/Instagram)

The NFL draft is usually a place for fans to see which prospects their beloved teams choose in the hopes of improving their fortunes. This year, however, it may be a barren occasion because of trans activist Dylan Mulvaney.

Bud Light, a major sponsor of the NFL and its events, including the Draft, has been at the center of controversy surrounding its recent partnership with Mulvaney. The issues have ranged from financial losses to pullouts by other endorsers. Now, fans might possibly be threatening to boycott the upcoming season, including the Draft unless the league addresses the situation:

When did Bud Light's Dylan Mulvaney partnership begin and what has been the reaction?

Dylan Mulvaney's endorsement of Bud Light began earlier this month when the brand sent her a few cans of beer. She then featured the cans in an Instagram video celebrating both March Madness and a year since she began identifying as a woman, revealing that one of them had her face on it:

Mulvaney would then appear in a video of herself drinking Bud Light while inside a bathtub:

The Bud Light-Mulvaney partnership has already attracted controversy. Anheuser-Busch, the manufacturer of the beer, has already lost over $3 billion in market cap value, while erstwhile endorsers have pulled out and are calling for a boycott, including country-rock singer Kid Rock, who filmed himself shooting Bud Light cans:

Kid Rock's fellow country musicians Travis Tritt and John Rich have since followed in his footsteps, and now the NFL could be next. But for how long has the league been sponsored by Bud Light?

Exploring Bud Light's history with the NFL

Bud Light first started sponsoring the NFL in 1988, when it and its sister brand Budweiser became the league's official beers. After a nine-year hiatus, Bud Light resumed its sponsorship duties in 2011 in a significantly expanded role, replacing Coors.

During the 2015 season, the NFL and Anheuser-Busch announced a $1.4-billion agreement that would extend Bud Light's involvement in the league to the end of 2022. In 2021, that partnership was extended until 2026-27, but after that, Anheuser-Busch ended its Super Bowl ad exclusivity deal.

About the author

Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Journalism. He has over seven years of working experience and has also covered MMA with FanSided, wrestling with The Sportster, and automobiles with Hot Cars.

Andre follows the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders, mostly because he likes their colors. His favorite position is tight end, and players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have always drawn Andre's attention when watching a game. Bill Belichick is his favorite coach, and his all-time favorite Super Bowl is the XLII edition, when the underdog New York Giants upset the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

If he can change one moment in NFL history, it will be from the NFC Championship Game in January 2019. In that game, a highly controversial no-call cost the Saints what would have been Drew Brees' second Super Bowl visit, where he would have faced Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Andre is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives in a story and ensures complete factual accuracy by double-checking all information before using it in his articles. He has an innate understanding of how to present information in an efficient and compelling way.

Outside the writing realm, Andre is a professional licensed teacher. His hobbies include watching UFC, MotoGP, playing the piano, and travelling.

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