Proctor & Gamble Pulls Out of NFL Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

The hits keep coming for the NFL. According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, Proctor & Gamble has pulled out of a large breast cancer awareness campaign:

Proctor&Gamble/Crest Toothpast have pulled a widespread, leaguewide campaign involving all 32 teams due to recent off field events...
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 19, 2014

The campaign was to have players on all 32 clubs wear pink mouthguards during Breast Cancer Awareness month and engage in social media
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 19, 2014

La Canfora writes that this occurred because of concerns about domestic issues in the league, and that the company will still donate the money that it had earmarked for cancer charities.

This is a huge deal, both symbolically and financially, for the league. As long as fans still tuned into games in droves, no amount of bad PR would have a tangible effect on the NFL to reform itself without pressure from sponsors. We saw localized action from Radisson with the Minnesota Vikings, and veiled voices of concern from brands like Anheuser-Busch and Pepsi, but this is the most severe action on record.

Earlier this week, Uni Watch reported that the NFL was going to focus less on breast cancer awareness in October and more on GI Joevember. With the P&G news, one wonders if that was decision was made more out of choice or necessity.

When will we hear from Roger Goodell?