The NRA claims YETI has cut ties with the organization resulting in a maelstrom of angry comments over the weekend claiming the company is alienating its core customer base. Photo: YETI
According to an NRA statement, YETI Coolers is the latest outdoors company to cut ties with the Association – precipitating a barrage of angry commentary on the internet over the weekend.
“For years YETI Coolers have been a hot item for sportsmen at the Friends of NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction events around the country,” explained the NRA in a memo on Saturday. “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.”
YETI’s various social media channels have been inundated with angry commenters that allege the company has alienated its base, some commenters calling for a boycott. The company’s most recent Instagram post, for instance, drawing some 2,600 comments.
“For a Texan company, I’m ashamed to have supported you,” said @akliney7. “I guess Austin’s ways are wearing on you. Goodbye Yeti!”
On Monday, YETI released the following official statement:
“A few weeks ago, YETI notified the NRA Foundation, as well as a number of other organizations, that we were eliminating a group of outdated discounting programs. When we notified the NRA Foundation and the other organizations of this change, YETI explained that we were offering them an alternative customization program broadly available to consumers and organizations, including the NRA Foundation. These facts directly contradict the inaccurate statement the NRA-ILA distributed on April 20.
“Further, the NRA-ILA stated in that same public communication that “[YETI has] declined to continue helping America’s young people enjoy outdoor recreational activities.” Nothing is further from the truth. YETI was founded more than 10 years ago with a passion for the outdoors, and over the course of our history we have actively and enthusiastically supported hunters, anglers and the broader outdoor community. We have been devoted to and will continue to directly support causes tied to our passion for the outdoors, including by working with many organizations that promote conservation and management of wildlife resources and habitat restoration. From our website to our film footage and from our social media posts to our ambassadors, YETI has always prominently featured hunters pursuing their passions. Moreover, YETI is unwavering in our belief in and commitment to the Constitution of the United States and its Second Amendment.”
The NRA concludes its statement rather ominously: “In this day and age, information is power. We thought you needed this information.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated on April 23rd at 2:25 pm to include YETI’s official statement.
