• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 12, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Aaron Donald Emerges As One Of NFL’s Most Marketable Players

  • NFL endorsements usually go to QB’s like Tom Brady. But reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is bucking that trend, scoring endorsement deals with Pizza Hut and other brands.
  • Aaron Donald’s “personality is a perfect fit for our brand and we’ve had a lot of fun with him so far,” says Rachel Meyer, Pizza Hut’s director of brand marketing.
Aaron Donald of the Rams is emerging as new Mean Joe Green on the field and on Madison Avenue.
Photo credit: Pizza Hut

Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams is emerging as the modern-day Mean Joe Greene in more ways than one.

Like the ex-Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer before him, Donald reigns as the NFL’s best defensive player. 

Also like Mean Joe, the 28-year old defensive tackle is one of the few defensive stars to become a sought-after endorser by major brands.

Most NFL endorsement deals flow to quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Tom Brady of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. 

But the back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year has scored deals with Pizza Hut, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Electronic Arts, Dr. Teal’s and electric car maker Karma Automotive. 

The Pittsburgh native is also poised to land another big deal in his hometown, said sources. Although he plays across the country for the NFC Champion Rams, the city has  embraced the former local high school football and Pittsburgh Panthers star as one of their own. 

With Pizza Hut in its second season as the league’s official pizza sponsor, the company signed Donald this summer. He was chosen to be the face of its new “Order Pizza Hut, Play Hut Hut Win” sweepstakes this season.

The pizza chain has aired several national TV spots starring Donald and Rams teammate Todd Gurley. Pizza Hut uses an array of players as pitchmen, including JuJu Smith-Schuster of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks.

“Aaron’s an incredible player on the field, and an even better guy off of it, down to earth and well respected by his peers – all things we gravitate towards as a brand. His personality is a perfect fit for our brand and we’ve had a lot of fun with him so far,” Rachel Meyer, Pizza Hut’s director of brand marketing, said in a statement. “I think that really comes through when you see him in our TV ads and also with what we have planned for him later this year and into the offseason.”

This December, Donald will star in one of Pizza Hut’s “Homegating” episodes, where he and some teammates watch Monday Night Football while noshing on pizza and wings. 

Donald loves ping pong, according to Meyer. During the off-season, Pizza Hut will sponsor a ping pong match between Donald and a fan in Los Angeles.  

Meanwhile, Donald and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten have signed on as the newest promoters of Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Soaks muscle recovery product.

The 6-1, 280-pound Donald posted a sponsored Dr. Teal’s video to his Instagram account overturning what looks like a giant monster truck tire. 

“My Dad used to tell me: ‘If man made it, man can lift it,’” he says in the video.

In addition, Donald has also signed a deal with Karma Automotive, which designs and manufactures $100,000-plus electric vehicles in his adopted home of Southern California. 

Karma custom designed Donald’s $130,000 Karma Revero. His wheels featured a “Mar Pacifico” exterior and “Midnight Dune Twist” 22” alloy wheels with red calipers. 

For an added touch of luxury, Karma delivered the new car directly to his house in Los Angeles. The football superstar is about to upgrade to the new Revero GT, according to Matthew Clarke, vice president of marketing for the Irvine, Calif-based startup.

“It’s great to be aligned with a local hero,” said Clarke. “There’s a bit of synergy there too. He was, and probably still is in some respects, a bit of an underdog in his position. He’s excelled the last (few) years.”

READ MORE: 80 Years Ago Today, NBC Televised NFL Game For First Time

Over the past two years, Donald has “become one of the faces of the NFL,” said agent Bob Philp of CAA Sports, which represents him on and off the field.

Donald’s national profile only rose after his formerly lowly Rams went all the way to the Super Bowl 53 in February before falling to Brady and the Patriots.

“Beyond his accomplishments on the field as a five-time pro bowler and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron’s personality, relatability, and humility have enabled him to transcend the position he plays,” said Philp. “Brands are excited to align with him.”

Yes, most corporate sponsorship deals for NFL players go to offensive players. But it’s not unheard of for defensive stars like J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans or Richard Sherman of the San Francisco 49ers to land national endorsements, noted Jeff Diamond, the former Minnesota Vikings executive turned sports business consultant.

“J.J. has done pretty well. I can see Aaron Donald certainly cashing in with endorsements,” said Diamond. “Not that he needs it very badly at $24 million a year or whatever he’s making.” 

READ MORE: NFL Exec: Love Seeing ‘Woke’ NBA Hoisted By Own Political Petard

Diamond’s referring to the 6-year, $135 million extension with the Rams that Donald’s CAA player agents Todd France and Brian Ayrault negotiated in August 2018. His new contract will pay him more than $22 million a year. The pact also included a $40 million signing bonus – and $87 million in guaranteed money. 

It’s the richest deal for a defensive player in league history, according to NFL.com. But it would be tough to argue he doesn’t deserve it. In a poll of fellow NFL players, Donald was named the best player in the league, according to NFL Network. Even Donald was surprised by that honor.

“Number 1… a D-tackle, huh?” he asked.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Real Madrid CF forward Kylian Mbappe (9) reacts after a semifinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.

CVC Builds Out Sports Division Amid Crowded PE Market

The firm’s sports portfolio is reportedly worth $13.6 billion.

Featured Today

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.
Caitlin Clark
September 4, 2025

Caitlin Clark Says She Won’t Return From Injury This Year

She only played 13 games this season.
James Harden
September 4, 2025

James Harden’s Houston Restaurant Shut for Falling $2 Million Behind in Rent

A sign on the door says the locks have been changed.