NFL bans ‘Slap Ya Mama’ red zone ads over domestic violence concerns
By Dan Zinski
Slap Ya Mama is a company that sells Cajun food products, but the average person probably doesn’t think about Cajun cooking when they see the words “Slap Ya Mama” emblazoned across a football field, they think about slapping ya mama.
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The NFL, being sensitive to domestic violence concerns in the wake of the Ray Rice incident, is now preventing Slap Ya Mama the Cajun food company from advertising their product with intrusive on-field red zone graphics.
Slap Ya Mama gave a statement about the NFL’s move via The New Orleans Advocate:
"In a statement, Walker & Sons Inc.’s vice president of marketing said, “We are really shaking our heads over this one!”“We’ve been doing this for three years with no complaints,” Jack D. Walker said. “People who know our brand ‘get it,’ but all of a sudden, after three years, the NFL doesn’t.”Walker’s statement explained that “Slap Ya Mama” refers to “a loving slap on the back and a kiss on the cheek to your mama as a thank you for preparing another great tasting dish.”"
Slap Ya Mama says their red zone campaign, which appeared during regionally-broadcast New Orleans Saints games, was popular with fans. Nevertheless, Slap Ya Mama will have to pull their ads from the last Saints preseason game.
So sensitive is the NFL to the concerns raised by some of these graphics, the league has actually taken the step of banning all red zone ads because “certain advertisers and brands were not consistent with NFL standards and messaging” and because “virtual signage can detract from the game telecast and create a less desirable viewing experience for fans watching.”
No more Slap Ya Mama. Pity.
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