San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is facing a $10,000 NFL fine for wearing Beats headphones to a post-game press conference Sunday, in violation of a league-wide ban on players sporting the brand on camera.
The NFL instituted the rule just last week after signing an exclusive deal with Bose headphones in August. The rule bars players or coaches from wearing Beats headphones anywhere near television cameras and extends from before kickoff to 90 minutes after gameplay, including pre- and post-game interviews.
Though Kaepernick has his own endorsement deal with Beats, the league's sponsorship supersedes any individual contracts players or coaches might have. Kaepernick popularized the brand in his "I'm the Man" commercials, in which he blocked out the noise of an angry mob of opposing team fans with Dr. Dre's noise-canceling headphones.
When asked by CSN Bay Area reporter Matt Maiocco whether or not Beats would be fronting the cost of the penalty, Kaepernick declined to comment.
I asked Colin Kaepernick if he or Beats by Dre will pay the $10K fine. "We'll let that be unanswered," he said.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) October 9, 2014
In a post to Instagram, Kaepernick said he wore his bright pink headphones to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness because his grandmother is a survivor of the disease.
I support breast cancer awareness! My grandma is a survivor!....... *shrugs* some things are now… http://t.co/p19GRLR4me— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) October 9, 2014
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, also a Beats spokesperson, was wearing Beats headphones before Monday nights game so he will most likely also be hit with a fine, according to Yahoo Sports.
Meanwhile, Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas and Cleveland Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey were fined about $8,200 each for physical penalties last Sunday.
In the NFL, you get fined more ($10K) for wearing Beats headphones than you do for any first-time physical penalty ($8,268).— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 9, 2014