WASHINGTON 鈥� The Washington Nationals have suspended their relationship with Papa John鈥檚 days after founder John Schnatter resigned as chairman of the company鈥檚 board.
The baseball team joined several other MLB franchises to condemn Schnatter鈥檚 comments and suspend promotions, saying the team does not 鈥渃ondone discrimination of any kind.鈥�
Participating area Papa John鈥檚 stores had offered 50 percent off pizza orders the day after a Nats win.
A team spokesperson said in a statement that there will be no more partnership for now with the Kentucky-based company, but that the team remains “supportive of our local operators who have been fantastic partners for more than eleven years.鈥�
The company announced Wednesday that Schnatter had resigned, hours after he apologized for using a racial slur during a May conference call. Forbes reported that Schnatter used the N-word during a media training exercise. When asked how he would distance himself from racist groups, Schnatter reportedly complained that Colonel Sanders never faced a backlash for using the word.
In a statement released by Papa John鈥檚, Schnatter said reports attributing use of 鈥渋nappropriate and hurtful鈥� language to him were true. 鈥淩egardless of the context, I apologize,鈥� the statement says.
Schnatter stepped down as CEO last year after blaming slowing sales growth on the outcry surrounding football players kneeling during the national anthem. The NFL announced it was ending a partnership with the company earlier this year.
Several MLB teams announced they would cut ties with the company, including the聽Miami Marlins and Seattle Mariners.
The Marlins posted a statement on Twitter saying the team is committed to an inclusive environment for all of its fans, and would suspend all promotions it had with the company.
鈥淢r. Schnatter鈥檚 derogatory and insensitive comments are not at all reflective of the value of our organization,鈥� the Marlins’ statement said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
