The NFL is going to get a ton of backlash for this venture. In a move that sure to upset a ton of players, the league just inked a sponsorship deal with Bose, that effectively ends players being allowed to wear the popular ‘Beats By Dre’ headphones on camera.
Recode is reporting that the ban will be in place even at preseason training camps and practices, and will be enforced through 90 minutes after games;
Guys like Richard Sherman, Colin Kaepernick and many others will have to listen to Bose headphones once they enter the building, or nothing at all.
‘Beats’ of course was not pleased.
“Over the last few years athletes have written Beats into their DNA as part of the pre-game ritual,” a Beats spokesperson said. “Music can have a significant positive effect on an athlete’s focus and mental preparedness and has become as important to performance as any other piece of equipment.”
Beats by Dre, which Apple acquired for $3 billion earlier this year, accounts for 61 percent of the premium headphone market in the U.S., according to researcher the NPD Group. Bose accounts for 22 percent — and Sony, 2 percent, the firm reported.