Like businesses do from time to time, YETI, the cooler manufacturing company based out of Austin, TX. told some of their corporate clients that they were retiring a corporate promotion plan, and offered those clients other options instead.
The folks at the National Rifle Association (NRA) didn’t seem to take it as casually as most businesses take that sort of news. In fact, the NRA pulled out the big guns (in public relations terms) and aimed them right at the YETI’s head, so to speak.
According to reports, the NRA sent a statement to supporters via email claiming that Yeti had cut business ties with the NRA.
The statement from Marion P. Hammer, USF Executive Director and NRA Former President, is dated April 20, 2018, and was posted online the following day by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). The statement reads, in-part:
“Suddenly, without prior notice, YETI has declined to do business with The NRA Foundation saying they no longer wish to be an NRA vendor, and refused to say why. They will only say they will no longer sell products to The NRA Foundation. That certainly isn’t sportsmanlike. In fact, YETI should be ashamed. They have declined to continue helping America’s young people enjoy outdoor recreational activities. These activities enable them to appreciate America and enjoy our natural resources with wholesome and healthy
outdoor recreational and educational programs.”
After receiving the statement via email, NRA supporters who also buy Yeti products were less than pleased, many taking to the internet to voice their disapproval with Yeti. Some NRA supporters called for a boycott of YETI products all together. Others seemed to point out that it was an error on behalf of the NRA. One twitter user said “NRA obviously misunderstood and ran with it.”
Ultimately, YETI released a statement rebutting the NRA’s claims and correcting the record, and calling the NRA’s statement “inaccurate.”
— YETI (@YETICoolers) April 23, 2018
It is unclear if the NRA will issue an apology to YETI.
The NRA’s reaction comes on the heels of NRA boycotts after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland Florida which killed seventeen and wounded another seventeen.
