Sports fans are already at their breaking point when it comes to advertising on their broadcasts. But many fans believe that CBS reached a new low with an Arby’s segment the network put on during NFL Today.
During the CBS pregame show, the cast did an entire segment advertising Arby’s’ steak nuggets as “an alternative to the regular nugget” at NFL tailgates.
“Steak nuggets should be positioned as an alternative to the regular nugget, normally found at the normal fan fast food chains,” Burleson proudly said. “You’ve got to upgrade your nugget routine!”
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Unimpressed by the Segment
Fans quickly took to X to express disappointment at CBS for trying to do a blatant piece of product placement in the middle of a pregame show:
“If that’s steak then consider me Miles Davis,” one user on X mocked.
“Nothing says authentic tailgating like the CBS pregame crew passing out Arby’s nuggets,” another wrote.
“Arby’s steak nuggets ad directly in the middle of the CBS broadcast. Where is the shame?” wrote a third.
© Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
If Arby’s’ goal was to raise awareness for the product, mission accomplished. If the company’s goal was to make fans like the product, maybe putting it smack in the middle of their pregame show was the wrong move to make.
That said, plenty of fans still preferred it over some of the other products that have been featured in the pregame show.
