Anheuser-Busch Reprimands NFL Over Domestic Abuse

Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of the official beer of the NFL, released a statement regarding their disapproval over how the league has recently dealt with its players being connected to specific cases of domestic violence and child abuse.

"We are disappointed and increasingly concerned by the recent incidents that have overshadowed this NFL season," a representative for Anheuser-Busch said in a statement. "We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code. We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league."

Also on Tuesday, McDonald's released a statement voicing their disapproval with the league as well. The statement read, "We have questions surrounding these evolving situations and are closely monitoring as the appropriate parties investigate these matters."

Other NFL sponsors including Visa and Campbell Soup have voiced similar concerns to the league.

The NFL has since responded to the comments made by Anheuser-Busch.

"We understand. We are taking action and there will be much more to come," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.

The controversy comes on the heels of Minnesota Vikings sponsor Radisson suspending its sponsorship deal with the team Monday night after the Vikings announced that they would play Adrian Peterson, despite him being indicted on a child abuse charge.

This comes on the heels of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice's domestic abuse scandal. Rice was accused earlier this year of abusing his wife, and received a two game suspension for following the incident. However, a videotape from TMZ was released that showed Rice knocking his then-fiancee unconscious, which led to his indefinite suspension from the league. This led to a litany of criticisms for the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell. Players, coaches, and now sponsors, believe that the NFL needs to establish consistent practices when it comes to dealing with these cases.

Further controversies stem from questions regarding whether or not anyone working for the league ever found out about the videotape of the incident, and why it took so long for the matter to surface.

Anheuser-Busch is in the fourth year of a six-year sponsorship deal with the NFL wherein it commits roughly $200 million a year in rights fees. The company signed the deal to become the official beer of the NFL in 2011. Clearly dividends continue to be paid as more Bud Light has been sold in the U.S. than any other beer in the last year, and Anheuser-Busch is the parent company of Bud Light.