Peyton Manning's Budweiser mentions during his on-the-field post-Super Bowl 50 victory comments Sunday were worth $3.2 million-plus in brand recognition value, according to a sports marketing group.
When asked if he planned on retiring after the Denver Broncos' 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers, Manning said in separate interviews that he wanted to knock down a few Budweisers before making that decision.
"I'm gonna drink a lot of beer tonight, Jim . . . Budweiser," Manning told announcer Jim Nantz while holding the Lombardi Trophy during the on-field award
ceremonies after the game, according to ABC News.
He told an on-field CBS anchor much of the same.
Apex Marketing Group, which does analytics sports sponsorships, branding, and product placement, evaluations, and naming rights sales, tweeted that the mentions were instant gold for Budweiser.
MarketWatch said that, all together, Manning made it rain for Budweiser to the tune of $3.2 million in brand value.
Lisa Weser, head of marketing communication for Anheuser-Busch, pleaded innocent to knowing beforehand of Manning's Budweiser plug, but confessed she was thrilled that he did it.
Officially, Budweiser did pay an estimated $15 million for three Super Bowl commercials during the game, according to MarketWatch, including the more memorable one with Oscar-winning British actress Helen Mirren that has been viewed 5 million times on YouTube.
In 2014, Beer Business Daily reported that Manning has a stake in two Anheuser-Busch distributors in Louisiana but that report has not been confirmed by the quarterback's marketing agent, MarketWatch noted.
According to Forbes, Manning is already raking in a hefty $12 million annually in endorsement deals with Buick, DirecTV, Gatorade, Nationwide Insurance, and Papa John's (indeed, Papa John Schnatter was one of the first people to congratulate Manning on the field Sunday).