By now, we are sure you have heard of the fiasco circling the Adrian Peterson and the NFL. If you haven’t, Peterson has been indicted on child abuse charges for disciplining his four year old son with a switch. The switch left lacerations, marks, bruises on many parts of the youngsters body. The media outrage has been swift, consistent and hard hitting.

After fully backing Adrian Peterson in this situation, the Vikings have done a full 180 degree turn and are now deactivating the star running back from the team indefinitely. Peterson will remain on payroll, but will not be allow to play in games or participate in team activities.

“This is a good decision that will allow Adrian Peterson to resolve his personal situation and the Vikings to return the focus to the football field,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail.

Everything sounds great and as you might expect, HOWEVER, the lesson for the black community comes when you delve a little deeper to find out WHY the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL are starting to change their tune and support of Adrian Peterson.

Their money is compromised.

Major companies have voiced their displeasure in the handling of the child abuse case of Adrian Peterson and the handling of it by the NFL. And let’s keep it real, they are only voicing their concerns because families, parents, women, fathers, and young adults are very upset with Peterson and the NFL. These companies are tied to the NFL through their sponsorships, thus it is making their brands look bad.

The Radisson hotel chain is the only major sponsor that has made the decision to suspend their sponsorship with the Minnesota Vikings. They stopped the relationship in order to put pressure on the organization, but it is clear if the NFL and the Vikings remain nutreul in the case, they will not be the only company.

The Radisson hotel chain is the only major sponsor that has made the decision to suspend their sponsorship with the Minnesota Vikings. They stopped the relationship in order to put pressure on the organization, but it is clear if the NFL and the Vikings remain nutreul in the case, they will not be the only company.

Nike has pulled all Adrian Peterson jerseys from their stores. In addition, they have closed down the All Day Foundation, which they work in conjunction with Adrian Peterson.

Other companies who have expressed their disappointment are:

Anheuser-Bush

Pepsico,

McDonald’s

Campbell’s Soup

Visa

…… and it assumes this list will only grow as this situation gets worse unless the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings step up to the plate and do something about it.

The NFL’s Minnesota Vikings response today was to indefinitely suspend Adrian Peterson. Will that be enough to quell the rising outrage? Only time will tell, but we know it came about because of the pressure sponsors and money put on the organization.

What does this have to do with the black community?

Money talks, marching and tough talk walks a marathon.

If you, the black community, don’t realize the power you have in your pocket books at this point in life, then I don’t know what else to say to you. No one is listening, not even the all mighty NFL, until you impact their bottom line, the money, the moola, the Benjamins.

We command over $1 trillion dollars in annual spending power. All of these organizations, institutions, and companies are drooling on themselves to get their hands on our market. If we use this collective thirst for our advantage, we will be a much more powerful and in control people.

Hopefully, this will be the watershed moment in the black community where we wake up to the reality that economic unity, power and influence is our chance to grasp the reigns in all the issues that plague us and our future.