MLB Ends Papa John's Promotion After Founder's Racial Slur

After it became known Papa John’s founder John Schnatter admitted to and apologized for using the N-word in a May training session, MLB has suspended a promotion with the chain.

As part of the indefinitely suspended “Papa Slams” promotion, baseball fans could get 40 percent off their order at Papa John’s the day after a grand slam was hit by using an online coupon code.

Some MLB teams have independent deals with Papa John’s that have not been altered at this time. However, each team now must decide whether or not to sever ties with the chain.

John Schnatter, who has resigned as chairman of his company’s board as Papa John’s shares continue to plummet, also has left his position on the University of Louisville Board of Trustees.

Per Forbes: “On the May call, Schnatter was asked how he would distance himself from racist groups online. He responded by downplaying the significance of his NFL statement. ‘Colonel Sanders called blacks n—–s,’ Schnatter said, before complaining that Sanders never faced public backlash.”

Schnatter stepped down as CEO of Papa John’s last year after making comments about the NFL’s handling of the national anthem protests.

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Evan Bleier

Evan is a senior editor with InsideHook who earned a master’s degree in journalism from NYU and has called Brooklyn home since 2006. A fan of Boston sports, Nashville hot chicken and Kentucky bourbon, Evan has had his work published in publications including “Maxim,” Bleacher Report and “The Daily Mail.”