Update: I have received word that Papa John’s has formally apologized for the incident. Click over to So Good’s front page to read about the apology and other updates on the story from the past 24 hours. My original post about the “Crybaby” T-shirts appears below:
Earlier tonight I attended the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers playoff game 6 at the Verizon Center in DC. Over the course of my night, one thing really surprised me. A few fans around the arena had shirts mocking Lebron James. The shirts had the number 23 on them, with the word “Crybaby” across the back. This kind of taunting is common at NBA arenas. But what was most shocking was that the shirts featured the Papa John’s logo, and appeared to be sponsored by, and paid for by, Papa John’s Pizza.
Lebron James is one of, if not THE most popular player in the NBA. Not only that, he is beloved in the state of Ohio. I was perplexed why Papa John’s Pizza would put their name on a t-shirt that so openly taunted such a well-liked athlete. The decision to sponsor these shirts seems incredibly ill advised.
The only rational would be if Papa John’s has a lot of franchises in Washington, DC, but none in the state of Ohio. However, as a national chain, I was skeptical that they didn’t have a presence in the state. Sure enough, a quick check on the Papa John’s website, using their restaurant locater, shows that there are TEN different Papa John’s pizza outlets just within 12 miles of the Cleveland Cavaliers arena.
So the question now is, why did Papa John’s decide to sponsor a promotion that will surely piss off a ton of Cavaliers fans and Ohio residents? Will Papa John’s start to lose business because angry residents don’t appreciate them openly mocking the most popular athlete in the state of Ohio? Will this end up hurting Papa John’s profits, or damage their company name? Will it lead to a boycott of Papa John’s by Cleveland Cavaliers fans?
Stumble it!
114 responses so far ↓
1 Tim Goldy // May 3, 2008 at 3:30 am
I’m a delivery driver at Papa John’s in Shaker Hts,Ohio .We were very busy during the game ,and then it just died . We received two faxes talking about the shirt,followed by threats to boycott .Ihope this blows over quickly .
2 jdeuel // May 3, 2008 at 3:52 am
Are you sure they aren’t talking about michael jordan, I’m pretty sure HE is the most popular basket ball player.
Or maybe shaq, or barkley, or Dr. J. Hell, Larry Byrd.
I honestly couldn’t pick this James fellow out in a line-up, was he in space jam?
3 bdiddy the pizza killa // May 3, 2008 at 6:34 am
papa johns is done in cleveland…lol that was a dumb marketing decision.. king james cmon now the best role model in sports.. that was a cheap shot..much like the wizards players themselves…BYE BYE GILBERT DESHAWN ANTOINE BRENDAN DANIELS shit on again!!!
4 Scott // May 3, 2008 at 11:09 am
Tom, I wouldn’t count on it. This may just be the beginning…
5 Better Ingredients…Better Advertising? | WaitingForNextYear // May 3, 2008 at 11:46 am
[...] I was contacted about a boycott of Papa John’s. The website that thought of this, or at least put the idea to cyberspace first is SoGoodBlog.com. You can find the article about Papa John’s here, Papa John’s Hates the State of Ohio. [...]
6 Papa John's boycott // May 3, 2008 at 11:47 am
7 Papa John’s Pizza Hates the State of Ohio - Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA // May 3, 2008 at 12:20 pm
8 Junior Samples // May 3, 2008 at 12:52 pm
jdeuel…are you fucking retarded?
9 Junior Samples // May 3, 2008 at 12:54 pm
And Papa Johns pizza sucks fucking balls anyways. They made a stupid decision and will now watch their shitty market share dwindle to nothing
10 And You Thought Papa Stern Was Evil - And One - cleveland.com - Cleveland.com // May 3, 2008 at 12:56 pm
11 Cleveland Sports Fan // May 3, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I’m a general manager for a Papa John’s Pizza about 40 minutes away from Cleveland. There are different privately owned franchises around the country as well as directly “corporate” owned stores. Unfortunately because we are all “Papa John’s,” things like this can affect all of us. Ultimately, what happened was that whatever franchise owns the stores in the D.C. thought it was a good idea to help promote their team, not thinking of the effect it would have on other areas, especially the Northeast Ohio markets. I can assure you that we had no idea of this “marketing idea” and were just as shocked as everyone else when we saw it on TV. Yes, we have received calls of people wanting to boycott us, but hopefully something will come out ASAP from Corporate as a nationwide apology / explination so that Ohio or other stores nationwide aren’t adversely affected!
12 Tim // May 3, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I’ll spread the news about this idiot marketing campaign as much as I can. I’m down the street from your store and will make sure area customers know about this.
13 Carolyn // May 3, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thanks for the heads up. The blogging world terror threat level is now fire engine red. Links to your article are flying through the blogosphere. I will miss my pineapple bacon pie.
14 Doug // May 3, 2008 at 2:25 pm
So Long Papa Johns, we hardly knew ye. I am going to be staging a “shit-in” protest at the Papa John’s in Streetsboro, Ohio, probably sometime at the end of the summer when I go back there. I will be shitting in a Papa Johns, and I’ll probably say something about the T-Shirt while I do it. Also, I’ll be having cheese sticks with that gross butter garlic sauce (gross but good). I can’t even begin to express how much I don’t like the wizards, eick.
15 Carolyn // May 3, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Tim: I am also down the street from the Shaker Heights Papa John’s; I can help spread the word that our PJ’s is not evil.
16 My Trophy Room // May 3, 2008 at 3:50 pm
17 houroc // May 3, 2008 at 5:52 pm
horrible marketing idea. This will kill PJ’s in ohio. I feel sorry for guys like “cleveland sports fan” who will lose a lot of business behind this and it didn’t even work. The Wizards are going home. Oh well. I can still enjoy my PJ’s down here in Texas.
18 LeBron James vs Papa Johns | SportFiends.com // May 3, 2008 at 6:42 pm
[...] the Wizards and Cavs game last night in DC, various fans could be seen wearing jerseys sporting #23 with the words “cry baby” written on them. Now in all fairness they [...]
19 Garnold // May 3, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Doug, I will be there in Cleveland, taking photos of you crapping. Just for photographic evidence. You know. You make a claim like that and people expect you back it up with actions. And I figured you would at least want someone there to sign a form that formally stated that such an event did indeed occur. I have a camera. I mean. Yeah.
20 Dennis Nestor // May 3, 2008 at 8:15 pm
http://www.boycottpapajohns.com
21 Papa John's Hates LeBron, Angers Cleveland - The Sports Zone // May 3, 2008 at 9:25 pm
22 NBA Blog - The Fanhouse // May 3, 2008 at 10:40 pm
23 CT // May 4, 2008 at 12:47 am
Who cares if Cleveland boycotts Papa John’s? They don’t even have an Ikea.
24 Chuck // May 4, 2008 at 12:56 am
I started a facebook group right after I saw that shirt and It is spreading fast. I am posting a link to the boycott in my group. IF you want to join the group its http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13756572733
25 Failure // May 4, 2008 at 2:05 am
Ironically, Papa John’s is slipping in sales and their company is in the shiiiiter. Rot in he11 Papa John’s you only cause heart disease and high cholesterol anyways.
26 LakersGround.net :: View topic - Papa John's is offically dead in Cleveland due to Lebron Diss // May 4, 2008 at 2:06 am
27 Papa John's is offically dead in Cleveland (Cavs/Wiz) : Lakers Forum // May 4, 2008 at 2:13 am
28 The Papa John's | So Good // May 4, 2008 at 2:41 am
[...] ← Does Papa John’s Pizza Hate the State of Ohio? [...]
29 Sara // May 4, 2008 at 5:06 am
I’ll join the boycott of Papa John’s until the corporate office makes things “right” somehow. But I wish posters here would have more class when they write their comments.
30 Jim // May 4, 2008 at 8:02 am
He is a crybaby,and the sooner he takes his Yankee hat and leaves the better.
31 RJCav // May 4, 2008 at 8:05 am
How about if the NE Ohio Franchises get together and smother the crowd with free POSITIVE Cavs Tee Shirts. Could you guys sue the DC guys?
32 Tim O // May 4, 2008 at 8:18 am
Ikea sucks as well, a bunch of crap made in China, which breaks within a week of purchase.
33 Joe // May 4, 2008 at 9:54 am
The boycott won’t last long. Obese midwesterners and bloggers can’t stay away from melted cheese and grease for too long.
34 yep its me // May 4, 2008 at 10:24 am
I eat MORe than my fair share of pizza by admission but I will NOT buy from Papa John’s again under ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!
I am cooking up a plan to make this VERY BAD for Papa John’s!!
35 Papa John's #23 "Crybaby" T-Shirts - Yappi Sports // May 4, 2008 at 10:41 am
36 No-Name247: Do Papa John's DC Franchisees Hate LeBron James and Ohio Fans? // May 4, 2008 at 10:46 am
37 Redhawk // May 4, 2008 at 11:33 am
From a simple “good business practices and judgement” standpoint I would be shocked if the originator of this “Crybaby” fiasco was not drummed out of holding a franchise. From my vantagepoint (NE Ohio) and as a total Cav’s Fan I am seeing a growing furor over this blunder. Besides, putting the Wizards down and out on their own home floor three (3) years in a row is not bad for a “Crybaby” and his team of athletes.
38 Papa John's is offically dead in Cleveland (Cavs/Wiz) - Pacers Digest // May 4, 2008 at 11:49 am
39 RealGM :: View topic - Papa John's is offically dead in Cleveland (Cavs/Wiz) // May 4, 2008 at 12:03 pm
40 Papa John's is offically dead in Cleveland (Cavs/Wiz) - Sister 2 Sister Magazine Community // May 4, 2008 at 12:18 pm
41 Papa John's "Crybaby" Sunday Afternoon Update | So Good // May 4, 2008 at 1:12 pm
[...] those of you just starting to follow this story, to get some background you can read my original post and follow-up coverage about the “Crybaby” t-shirts that were at the Wizards-Cavs Game [...]
42 Crybaby? Hardly. | Behind The Lens // May 4, 2008 at 2:15 pm
[...] it looks like you have marketing blogger Jon Eick to thank for getting the word out about the [...]
43 TJP // May 4, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Where can I get a shirt. These are priceless.
44 Unsilent Majority - Deadspin // May 4, 2008 at 2:38 pm
45 Sorry! // May 4, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I understand your anger about this t-shirt issue at the Washington Wizards/Cleveland Cavaliers game. We here at Papa Johns Pizza in OHIO do not endorse the actions taken at that game. The individuals involved were not in any way associated with the Papa John’s brand here in Ohio. We support the Cleveland Cavaliers and are GREAT fans of LeBron James.” The best news about this incident is that Cleveland won the game and knocked Washington out of the playoffs.
I also share your anger about this. It is the D.C Papa Johns Pizza Franchise who had a very poor marketing campaign. They did this without thinking about the repercussion here in Ohio! Even though we are all Papa Johns Pizza, each Franchise is separate from the other. Unfortunately, they can do for lack of a better word something as reckless as this to help their market in D.C. They did not get any approval from Ohio market or Corporate to do so. We obviously would have strenuously declined such a marketing campaign that would pick a side of any sport/politic or religious views. It’s not how we do business.
Please accept my apologies and know that this issue is being handled at the highest level at our corporate headcounters in Louisville Kentucky.
46 Is a Papa John's Mea Culpa Imminent? | So Good // May 4, 2008 at 3:52 pm
[...] following comment was left on my original post about the Papa John’s “Crybaby” t-shirt incident. It came from a Papa [...]
47 MVN Outsider | MVN - daily sports talk » Blog Archive » Will Cavaliers Fans Boycott Papa John’s? // May 4, 2008 at 4:00 pm
48 Dave Cleveland // May 4, 2008 at 6:13 pm
papa john’s pizza is nasty anyway. PIZZA HUT ALL THE WAY!!
thats like comparing colt 45 to great lakes dortmonder.
49 Clevelandharma // May 4, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I never did eat at Papa John’s (or any of the national/seminational chains, for that matter), so a boycott from me wouldn’t make much difference. Local businesses are where it’s at anyhow– better tasting, less fattening and nothing mass-produced. Gimme Geppetto’s or Angelo’s any day.
50 Nick // May 4, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Dude, you ppl need to think b4 you talk. Do you really think that Ohio PJ’s would agree on this if they were asked. That would be retarded on their part. I agree that they don’t have good pizza, but that would be really low class to put a hundred out of jobs because of a t-shirt.
51 Nick // May 4, 2008 at 11:31 pm
and if you guys check the news, now they are selling pizza for 23 cents on thursday to apologize.
GO CAVS!!
52 sexygirlincleveland // May 5, 2008 at 12:08 am
Ok Ok everyone calm down lets use common sense!!!! that was in WASHINGTON !!!! why are you guys tripping about what papa john’s is doing in WASHINGTON. everyone with a freaking brain can figure out that it was a marketing ploy for the WASHINGTON area papa john’s. THERE ARE SO MANY MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE WORLD THAT WE NEED TO BE PROTESTING!!!! chill out it is just a game!!! and guess what the CAVS won the game!!! not the wizards. So this should not be hurting the cleveland papa john’s in no way. if you guys can read it was for a FRANCHISEE IN WASHINGTON NOT CLEVELAND SO WHAT IS THE BIG FUSS ABOUT!!!! you guys are wasting your time. by boycotting you can cause alot of good people to lose what might be there only means of making a living. yes it was in poor taste but so what it is just a freaking game!!!!
53 Ohio Papa John's Team Member // May 5, 2008 at 12:19 am
I am a manager at a Papa John’s in Wadsworth, Ohio. When I found out about this I was very upset that someone would do this! Papa John’s did not authorize this in anyway. The person who did this is obviously fired by now. We support of the Cleveland teams here and would never have let this happen if we had know about this ahead of time! LeBron James have family in this area and he has a house less then 20 minutes from here. He has held his youth basketball tournaments in our city and we were the one’s who provided the pizza for the event. It would just have been stupid for us to go along with something like this! I want everyone to know that on Thursday May 8, Papa John’s will be have a 23 cent pizza day and all the money from this will be going to a Cleveland Cavaliers charity. Please do not punish us for something that we did not even know about until after it happened. Please do not boycott us for others bad judgment.
54 NBA Fan // May 5, 2008 at 12:33 am
Are we talking about the same “CRYBABY” that got a technical in game 6?
55 John "Bradshaw" Layfield // May 5, 2008 at 6:17 am
I think there is much need to call someone a name, like scumbag, Papa John’s has no sense in customer service or appreciation. It’s the customers that keep you in business and make your paychecks, and it’s the customers who, if they stop buying, will put you out of business.
56 Vicky // May 5, 2008 at 7:44 am
yes, there are some people here in cleveland who think “crybaby” you know him as 23 is a “CRYBABY” and thank god someone said you call him a roll model, hello two children and still not married? And finally someone brings up the real truth about who the great BB players are. And another thing KING get real. He is OVER RATED when are those shirts coming out I’ll take one and wear it proudly. One idot got mad and yeah, now all these small buisness owners are going to suffer. Stupid people do stupid things and who cares what other fans wear, look at 23 wearing a NY hat, your right take and leave James. Real cleveland fans love their teams no matter how the play and with or without James, real Cleveland fans rock…….. any other team want to make him an offer?? Good bye James you are an over rated crybaby, remember you only scored 2 points higher then the one guy on the wizzard team. and still I know you all you people saying you will boycott will be there, getting your 23 cent pizza, I still want mine suasage……..
57 Mike // May 5, 2008 at 8:10 am
Wizzard fan’s wished they had a crybaby player
that was that good.
Better to be overrated than a big mouth thug.
Some one should lose his job over this shirt deal
or his francise
58 Papa John’s Hates LeBron, Angers Cleveland // May 5, 2008 at 9:01 am
59 The Franchise King Blog: Does Papa John's Franchise Dislike The Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise? // May 5, 2008 at 9:41 am
60 Papa John's LeBron James 'Crybaby' Shirt Controversy Means Cheap Pizza for Clevelanders | Slice Pizza Blog // May 5, 2008 at 10:37 am
61 Endless Simmer - A Food Blog » Blog Archive » LeBron Fans Call Foul on Papa Johns // May 5, 2008 at 10:56 am
[...] Jon over at So Good had tickets to the fateful Game 6 on Saturday night, and of course was on the lookout for any corporate giants to take down, so he was delighted to see Wizards fans wearing shirts that taunted LeBron James for being a crybaby, especially when he realized these shirts were sponsored by Papa John’s Pizza. [...]
62 jroy // May 5, 2008 at 10:57 am
For the first time I will be grateful for the “crybaby” because on Thursday I’ll be able to feed my family with Papa Johns Pizza for $0.23 a pizza. In this economy that will be a real treat. The millions that the young man makes doesn’t justify his moral standing with two illegitamate children. He is certainly not the roll model I want for my boys. And by the way, I think most professional sports players are million dollar crybabies. These are the idols our country upholds as heros? What a sad state of the Union.
63 Derek Arnold // May 5, 2008 at 11:02 am
I have one word about all of this: scoreboard.
Papa John’s bet on the wrooong horse!
64 spapania // May 5, 2008 at 11:02 am
I would have to say Vicky is retarded. It sounds like this person has no idea that Lebron is still dating the same girl since highschool. Also both children are with her. Since when do you have to be married to be a role model…..idiot. Also it sounds like you are a proud Wizards fan……..better luck in the following years to come…..Washington is a stepping stone to raise Cleveland higher……3 years now. Go Home Bitch
65 zach // May 5, 2008 at 12:13 pm
LeBron is the biggest crybaby in the league! He gets a ton of calls and then crys for more calls. Who cares! I’m a Cavaliers fan - I know that LeBron gets a ton of calls and that he is a crybaby….so what.
66 No Papa JOhns Vicky is a Troll! // May 5, 2008 at 12:15 pm
.23 cents? Get real, you cant entice us to buy your crap! I hope LeBron and the Cavs ink a deal with Pizza Hut or Dominos and crush Papa Johns, what were they thinking?!
67 PB starts website/facebook group, boycotts Papa Johns - Message Board Basketball Forum - InsideHoops // May 5, 2008 at 1:41 pm
68 CLEVELANDERS NOW CAN AFFORD PIZZA - With Leather // May 5, 2008 at 1:47 pm
69 Cleveland Crybabies // May 5, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Uh, Cleveland can not take the joke. Rename the team:
“Cleveland Crybabies”
Who the hell is this James guy anyway? Never heard of him.
And why do sports losers think anyone cares about their games?
We got a world where four people a minute starve to death every minute.
We have our soldiers killing foreigners every day in our name to protect the oil companies and Halliburton stockholders.
That’s right, America is murdering men women and children every day in your name and you spend your time on this crap?
Sigh: get a life, Cleveland!
70 spapania // May 5, 2008 at 3:28 pm
obviously you have just a little of a life to reply to our threads……..what do you have to say that…….and obviously you know who he is because you wouldn’t be on this site. I love retards from D.C. they are so cute…
71 NeRlAn // May 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
No matter how much papa john’s tries there is still going to be people that won’t eat at papa john’s because of this. It is sad that pj businesses in Ohio may have trouble but thats what you get when the local chains can’t be check by the higher ups in the company. For the people that say lebron is a crybaby well everyone is a crybaby in almost every sport. Players always argue with the refs. People here are saying that he is a bad role model because he has two children with his high school sweat heart but there not married. If they were married would it make you happier. What if they don’t want to get married because of financial reasons or lebron doesn’t want his girlfriend to up and leave him with 50 mil (pre nups are so romantic). Its not your business so why do you make it your problem does you child watch lebron take care of his kids or play basketball. Would you rather have there favorite basketball player run in the stands and punch a fan(artest) or thier favorite football player go to a stripclub at 3 in the morning and be involved woth a shooting. You must take the good with the bad and im sure your not perfect amd the way you write your comments your kids are in trouble. And if you people cry about people being crybabies that kind of makes you a crybaby. And of course that makes me a crybaby.
From a 15 year old boy from Maryland.
Oga boga boga bitch
72 216eric // May 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
vicky, you are a fucking moron. lebron is overrated? “he only scored 2 pts higher than the one wizzard guy ” ?? he had a goddamn triple double! do you even know what that is? come on lady, he’s only the greatest player to ever put on a cavalier jersey, or any jersey for that matter.
73 noljaooadifviafobvsef // May 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm
The wizards suck if i told you what i really thought about them the naacp would get on my ass there isn’t one white person on that team
oh yeah papa johns is gay
74 b // May 5, 2008 at 4:22 pm
hello
75 Blueberry Ruffin // May 5, 2008 at 4:42 pm
…if only anyone in Cleveland could come up with 23 cents
76 Marcus Sims // May 5, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Yo, here’s the aftermath from all that.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iBoJUwFsrmc1sTTHVDOHxczzTZMAD90F67QG2
77 low-bee.com • View topic - NBA PLAYOFFS 2008 // May 5, 2008 at 5:53 pm
78 StuMan // May 5, 2008 at 7:52 pm
If you can’t take a joke, get a life!
79 StuMan // May 5, 2008 at 7:57 pm
You guys make me want to PUKE! Where were all of you when Kobe raped a girl in Denver. When Artest and Jackson went into the crowd during a game. They were wearing NBA jerseys at the time. Did you boycott the NBA? I guess not since you have the time to express your undying love to LeBron.
Blueberry Ruffin was right when he asked if anyone in Clevelnad could come up with 23 cents. Maybe if a bunch of you got together, your IQ points could add up to 23.
80 freebird // May 5, 2008 at 8:01 pm
not a big lebron fan but have seen him with his son after many cavs games,sounds like a real awful parent dont it vicky?
81 Blogger & Podcaster: The Blog » Blog Archive » Papa John’s Blogger Fueled Marketing “Blunder” (wink, wink) // May 5, 2008 at 8:25 pm
[...] now infamous shirt and within hours, in the middle of the night, many other bloggers linked to the story. Fans in Cleveland were pissed. What has ensued since is nothing short of a media frenzy (read [...]
82 QuickDriver4 // May 5, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I drive for papa johns in ne ohio. papa johns did NOT support those shirts! it was a franchise owner in DC that came up with the idea. We had NOTHING to do with it in cleveland. But for those of you that live in the area there are 44 locations with what we are calling “apology pizzas” they are 23 cents. Its a large one topping and its pick up only. Hope that makes you feel a little better!
83 Ken // May 5, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Here’s the deal, Lebron James is just representing the entire city of crybaby, sorry typo, Cleveland. Seems like if enough people in that city get pissed off over a t-shirt and cry about Papa John’s will give you 23 cent pizzas yay! Here’s an idea: Get over it. It was a fun shirt for a game that was supposed to be for fun. People take shit way to serious. Man I thought the economy was bad and people had no jobs, guess not all anyone can do is whine over papa john’s t-shirts ah well.
84 sexygirlincleveland // May 6, 2008 at 3:52 am
I would like to thank stuman for that comment at least someone has some sense on here!!!! there are some many other things we can boycott. dont boycott over a stupid shirt. the employees work there asses off!! and you guys want them to lose there jobs over this!!! everyone needs to grow up and grow some balls. IT WAS JUST A JOKE!!! every one cries in sports. if you dont do think about anything think about the people whose lives can be destoyed because you guys want to boycott for some bs. i cant believe this story has lasted this long. you guys are getting 23 cent pizzas!!! you should be happy!!!
now can we please get back to watching my CAVS go to the championship and whooping everyone’s ass!!!!!
85 On Pizzas and Crybabies - D.C. Sports Bog // May 6, 2008 at 11:06 am
86 greg // May 6, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Hilarious!
So, Cleveland doesn’t have it bad enough?
They get so weepy about a T-Shirt jokingly dogging a local hero who happens to whine like a lil-baby about everything on court… that they decide the best course of action is to take it out on themselves.
Good stuff Cleveland!
87 MC // May 6, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I live in Boston and am originally from Clevleand. I will never eat another peice of Papa John’s Pizza again. Nor will I eat another soggy chicken strip or sand dry papa cheese stick. I will be letting my friends in Cleveland and Boston know whats up. No more Papa Schwantz!!
88 Chris M // May 6, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I’m not even from Ohio, but I respect LeBron and all he has done for the NBA. LeBron fans span all across the country and every Papa John’s store will have a hand full of his fans. That was possibly the dumbest marketing scheme I have ever seen. Sorry Papa John’s in Fayetteville, AR. You just lost a customer.
89 Chris M // May 6, 2008 at 8:39 pm
ps. stuman is a douche
90 DD // May 7, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I loved the shirt…it’s true!!! He is a crybaby. And whoever wrote about Lebron being a role model…get real. If I had kids, I would not want them looking up to someone who thinks that money and fame are more important than an education.
P.S. If anyone knows where to find one of those shirts please let me know…I would love to get my hands on one.
91 Lisa // May 7, 2008 at 4:58 pm
OMG! Lebron could buy the whole state of Ohio Pizza’s and still have pocket change! Why do we have to cry so much about petty crap! I think everyone lives for drama and looks like we’ve created drama! It’s called DWI (Deal w/ it)!! We all know that ANY and ALL Cleveland Teams have a serious curse…we can’t win ANY Championship. We’re the mistake by the Lake and that’s life. Get your .23 pizza and be happy!
92 The Christ of Ohio // May 7, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I am from Ohio, I have relatives who know LeBron. I agree and I say it now - loudly and proudly - LeBron Is A Bitch.
93 Just another delivery driver... // May 7, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I am a delivery driver at a papa John’s near Cleveland/Akron. Seriously, the media in our local area market smelled blood when word about this got out and they fueled the flames even higher by PROMOTING THIS AS IF WE WANTED THE PROMOTIONAL COVERAGE.
Expect sellouts. Expect LONG waits outside in a line that could very well wrap around the store while it is raining. The parking lot is very busy where our store is located in a plaza near lots of hotels. Rumor has it that a bunch of 8th graders from all different local area schools are going to be there. I have even heard rumors of people camping out in tents waiting for the BIG EVENT.
People are going to get what they pay for… pizza for $0.23 and we are most likely, along with other stores, going to be sold completely out of product and not be able to sell any during our normal weekend hours. People are IDIOTS. Their lives are so LAME that DRAMA creates excitement and the irresponsible media that SENSATIONALIZES that drama further only make matters even worse.
I expect to see the ABSOLUTE WORST SIDE of people brought out tomorrow as I prepare to work from 10 AM until 7 PM as a DRIVER (snicker). There will be very few, if any, delieveries during the afternoon due to the media circus and zoo-like atmosphere where the credons can keep on feedin’. This will not be our regular customers, but instead will be a bunch of bottom feeding parasites that are in it only for a free ride with the “Ah’m gonna get what’s mine” attitude.
I expect police intervention and possibly injuries as the crowd gets angry and turns into a mob that could start a riot… Why? Because they want to or would like to. It’s there chance to overturn the cars and set fire to their own town in protest of the ever increasing cost of living as an American. People are upset about GAS prices costing damn near $4, yet I have to drive to earn a living and fill my tank up most of the time with part of the $$$ I earn from tips. People are getting cheap and not tipping, yet expect superior service (not there in a 1/2 an hour its free, right?).
Working in the pizza shop industry for over 8 years as both a driver and as an asst. manager for various pizza chains has really been a valuable eye opener into human nature…
People are stupid, greedy, ignorant, inconsiderate, and arrogant as a general whole, who all think they are more important than the losers which they indeed really are in truth.
I coin the term “BLACK THURSDAY” for this Papa John’s public relations and marketing meltdown promotional gimmick. I can’t wait until it’s FRIDAY man.
Just a perfect example of how a FEW misguided morons gave have such serious ramifications on the whole of an enterprise. PJ’s is going to lose a huge amount of business over this from customers who decide to boycott. I bet you they show up tomorrow and BUY $0.23 cent pizza however. Hypocrytes.
It almost makes me ashamed to admit that I grew up in Northeast Ohio. The FANS, THE MEDIA, and everyone else is to blame for the shitstorm that is about to hit our franchise… and we had NOTHING to do with their childish marketing decision.
NUFF SAID. OUT.
94 John // May 7, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Papa John’s only proved Cleveland is crap. Round on the ends, hi in the middle.
95 Large one topping pizza for 23 cents at Papa John's in Cleveland - WalletPop // May 8, 2008 at 3:50 am
96 LEW // May 8, 2008 at 11:12 am
Papa Johns knows what they are doing by having you call in to place an order for the 23 cent pizza. Try calling in….all the lines are busy. Sure a lot of calls…try…telephone off the hook!!!!!
97 DEBRA K. LESJAK // May 8, 2008 at 11:55 am
I AM A CAVS FAN AND WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT OUR LOCAL PAPA JOHNS PIZZA LOCATED 1315 4TH ST. NW NEW PHILA.,PH#330-364-2900. QUITE A FEW PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH THE PAPA JOHNS TO GET A 23 CENT PIZZA, THEY ADEVERTISED IN OUR LOCAL TIMES REPORTER PAPER SAYING THAT THEY WERE RUNNING THE SPECIAL JUST LIKE THE CLEVELAND OHIO PAPA JOHNS WERE DOING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOU CALL THE NUMBER OF COURCE IT RINGS BUSY BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS TO A TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OFFER , BUT I GOT THROPUGH TWICE, THE PHONE RANG AND RANG AND THEY NEVER DID PICK UP, NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER ORDER ANOTHER PIZZA FROM PAPA JOHNS TO ME OUR LOCAL FRANCHISE IS RUNNING A SCAM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND PLEASE CALL ME A 33-=343-3626
98 FLebronHaters(and the celtics) // May 8, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Alll the Warren and Youngtown loactions are busy phone as well…Pack ur car full of your friends and go to the location and order mass amounts of pizzas…Its a marketing scheme…Extra toppings ….1.50 a piece….Breadsticks/wings/soda etc////And there are 49 other states with PJ’s locations that are stacking money today…..But still take advantage of our terrible economy and feed your family and friends cheap…..DONT TRY AN CALL JUST GO TO THE STORE!!!!! And all of you hatin on LeBron are just haters and jealous of the man….Dont hate…Congratulate!!!
99 Pop // May 8, 2008 at 1:52 pm
So it is okay for Lebron to dis his hometown by wearing a Yankees cap to an Indians game, but fans of the Wizards aren’t allowed to make fun of him? I am so tired of the Lebron-hype. He is not a god, he is an awesome baller but a POOR sport.
100 Papa johns 23 cent pizza - Google Trends -- G-Spot -- ByREV // May 8, 2008 at 2:29 pm
101 spapania // May 8, 2008 at 4:01 pm
dude i called in 4 times at my local store and walk right up and got them. Even though there were over 200 people in line waiting for pizzas. Patients People……all pizzas 23 cents….no scam
102 Stephen Laughs at You // May 8, 2008 at 5:11 pm
You’re joking? Well apparently it’s not just Lebron who’s a crybaby. All of his fans are no sport whiny babies as well! What good marketing for Papa Johns, I might just order them tonight.
Seriously though, be good sportspeople. “I’m gonna boycott Papa Johns because they made fun of my favorite player,” is just pretty lame.
103 reformedfan // May 8, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I just want to share something with all of the posters on this site. I will be the first to admit that I was expecting (actually hoping) Lebron would let all of the hype blow hs career for him. I thought that he would prove to just be a neighborhood thug that had his 2 minutes in the spotlight. I am wlling to admit now that I was absolutely wrong, and am glad to say it!
I live down the street from Mr. James, and occassionally see him at local establishments. He is always going out of his way to be courteous and respectful to everyone. That is no small task with the amout of attention he receives.
I have seen his demeanor on the court and off as well. He has reformed me into a fan. He is well spoken–and like it or not–he is a good roll model (setting the whole marriage aside). He shows true sportsmanship and respect. My 11 year old son has learned great lessons from watching Lebron.
Like it or not, Lebron has proven himself and I wish him the best!
104 @ DEBRA K. LESJAK // May 8, 2008 at 5:54 pm
What is wrong with you? Big surprise that offering essentially free pizza would make a store unbelievably busy. If any thing you should feel sorry for the participating Papa Johns. They are losing a lot of money over something someone in a different state did. And the offense was meaning less. The Cavs won that round of the playoff and if they lose this round it will be all the more meaningless. Also your caps lock key seems to be broken. Also get over your sense of entitlement. No one owes you anything.
105 PJ Worker // May 9, 2008 at 1:14 am
Here is what the paper reported about our store…
At the Boardman/Poland Papa John’s, the 23 cent pizza offer started at noon. Before the doors even opened, more than 50 hungry people had lined the Papa John’s building, 1307 Boardman Poland Road.
Boardman Fire Department Lt. Tom Roberts, set the occupancy limit to four people to assure the employees of Papa John’s that there wouldn’t be a mad rush to the counter.
Employees started making pizzas at 9 a.m. and had knocked out nearly 300 pies before noon.
General Manager Mark Barkley waited on customers and didn’t skip a “thank you” or “have a great day.” Barkley, along with three other workers, were non-stop as the line of patrons continued to file into the store.
106 PJ Worker // May 9, 2008 at 1:25 am
I slapped out pizzas from 10 AM until we closed the store at 4 PM after running out of dough and we could not make any more 23 cent pizzas.
I am a DRIVER. I had *1* delivery and only made a $3 tip all day. We had the phones off because of the media circus this turned into.
Seriously? We had only 5 scheduled people, some of which volunteered to come in and help today. It was a very grueling work day and it looked more like an assembly line at a plant than a restaurant.
I wonder how many CAV’S FANS actually showed up at our location. It was the POOR, the BORED, the HUNGRY, and everyone but CAV’s FANS.
PJ’s hopefully has learned something from all of this, but I doubt it. You got your $0.23 pizza. GET THIS… our manager, Mark Barkely had to work during this nightmare event ON HIS BIRTHDAY! He had his ID to proove it. POOR GUY! He is one of the nicest people I have ever seen with incredible politness. I was there… he joked and laughed with the customers and thanked every one.
Our store team on THU was the best we could have asked for. LUCKILY, no one was HURT during this mass-chaos as ignorant people cut lines, got into fights, etc. We did call the police many times to try and disperse the crowd after we sold out and the doors were locked.
Seriously, I didn’t know so many people would actually wait 3 HOURS in a line under these type of conditions just to buy a $0.23 pizza.
Thanks D.C. PJ’s for *YOUR MONUMENTAL SCREW UP* and making our store, my day, etc., a living nightmare.
I wonder how many of you “LAM3RZ” could have withstood what I endured today??? Was it worth $7 per hour? NO! We should have received BONUSES from CORP to keep the PROMISE that THEY made in order to save face and not lose any further market share from the events that took place. Did I get a bonus for this herculean effort? What do you think?
Thank GOD it is FRIDAY! I am not sure if we are going to be open tomorrow, since we RAN OUT OF DOUGH on THU.
GO CAVS!
107 b&a: The Papa John's Screw Up // May 10, 2008 at 8:13 am
108 The Great Papa John's Pizza Riots of 2008, // May 10, 2008 at 10:34 pm
109 Domestic Agenda: Weekend Update // May 13, 2008 at 8:40 pm
110 DCBlogs » DC Blogs Noted // May 23, 2008 at 3:21 am
[...] aimed at an opposing star basketball player. It included an advertising logo. He wrote a post, Does Papa John’s Pizza Hate the State of Ohio? that drew over 100 comments. He followed that with this post: How Papa John’s averted a WOM [...]
111 Monrovia pizza company // Jun 9, 2008 at 12:38 pm
i don’t like this marketing idea. i don’t find it catchy as a consumer.
112 how much does papa john pay its employees - Dogpile Web Search // Jul 23, 2008 at 11:47 pm
113 Josh // Sep 23, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Oh no! Papa Johns has an opinion?! What?Boycott!!! Damn you Papa Johns for making a poke at a sports star! Think of all the blacks that wont order from there now! (I am sure the average tip/delivery will increase, at least)
114 Papa John's Fan Base Surging on Facebook | So Good // Nov 19, 2008 at 3:38 pm
[...] If you’ve been reading So Good for a while, you could probably speculate that Papa John’s wouldn’t be my biggest fan. After all, who knows how much money the company lost after So Good broke the Papa John’s/Lebron James/Crybaby story. [...]
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