How organizations are perceived by the public is linked directly to engagement and profitability. As one aspect of marketing communications, public relations can be an important positive or negative for an organization. As an example, the NFL (National Football League) has been in a PR crisis for the last couple of seasons. They’ve had two major issues constantly in the news: the CTE epidemic (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and the controversy over NFL player related conduct issues, like sexual abuse and domestic violence. Relevant articles on these two issues are included below for your reference; many more are available.
- Hernández, V. (2023). Boston University provides update on CTE study, discovers brain disease in 92 percent of ex-NFL players analyzed.
- Schuman, N. (2022). Deshaun Watson Suspension Initiates PR Crisis Mode for NFL, Browns.
- Analyze the impact that these issues have had on the popularity of the NFL. In your opinion, which has been worse for popular sentiment related to the NFL?
- What should the NFL do to address the public relations problems they’re having?
