A newly-inked sponsorship deal between the English Super League and pizza franchise Papa John’s has quickly become the laughing stock of the internet.
It was revealed earlier this week that Papa John’s had come onboard as a sponsor with the rugby league code as the competition restarts after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Under the agreement, Papa John’s will receive advertising on billboards at the grounds the games are played on.
In return, Papa John’s will have to provide pizza to the players and match day staff.
In other words, the Super League has agreed to a sponsorship deal worth nothing more than free pizza.
And while many businesses are doing it tough during the pandemic, social media has been expectedly ruthless in its evaluation of the deal.
https://twitter.com/DinosaursRugby/status/1296233443496517633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1296233443496517633%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxsports.com.au%2Fnrl%2Fsuper-league%2Fnrl-2020-super-league-news-papa-johns-pizza-sponsorship-deal%2Fnews-story%2Fca53cf568fa03c93aee5425a420b35e3
A sponsorship deal where you get no money but free pizza instead.
If it wasn't so sad it would be funny.
— John Davidson (@johnnyddavidson) August 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/HasaanTheRed/status/1296234416403099653
Sunkist sponsorship for free orange slices? Maybe Baskin-Robbins sponsorship for free ice cream parties for the winning teams with their mums and dads? “Super” League… Little league more like it! I’ve seen pee-wee hockey here run more professionally by volunteers!
— DC 🇺🇦💙💛 (@DC_Scarborough) August 24, 2020
Papa John’s marketing director Giles Codd : “Ensuring the players and officials are fed safely post-match is paramount and our teams are well-drilled in safely delivering fresh, hot and tasty pizza after successfully adapting to the situation we find ourselves in during this global pandemic.”
