Jon Voight, the acclaimed Academy Award-winning actor, has made headlines with his bold rejection of a lucrative $20 million offer from the NFL. The offer was part of an advertising campaign for the 2025 NFL season, which will kick off in Berlin, Germany. Voight was reportedly approached to join fellow actor Robert De Niro in a high-profile commercial for the season’s opening event, but the actor turned it down, citing his strong opposition to what he called the “woke” culture associated with De Niro and the current entertainment industry.
The offer, which was part of a larger marketing campaign designed to promote the NFL’s international expansion, was an attempt to generate excitement for the 2025 season opener in Berlin. The ad would have featured the two Hollywood legends, alongside some of the league’s top players, to celebrate the start of the NFL season and its growing global presence. The league had hoped that the combination of Voight and De Niro, two prominent and well-known figures in Hollywood, would draw attention to the event and give the campaign a significant cultural boost.
However, Voight, who has long been outspoken about his political views, rejected the offer, reportedly due to his disdain for what he perceives as De Niro’s embrace of “woke” culture. In a public statement, Voight explained his decision, stating, “I will never work with woke creeps like Robert De Niro. The values he promotes are a direct contradiction to what I believe in, and I cannot, in good conscience, align myself with that agenda.” Voight’s comments reflect a growing divide in the entertainment world, where the increasing focus on diversity, inclusivity, and progressive ideologies has sparked significant backlash from more conservative figures.
Voight, who has been an outspoken critic of the left-leaning Hollywood elite for years, has consistently used his platform to voice his support for traditional American values. The actor has long been a supporter of former President Donald Trump and has publicly spoken out against what he views as the left’s stranglehold on culture. By turning down the NFL’s offer, Voight is continuing to distance himself from what he perceives as the Hollywood establishment, which he believes has shifted too far left.
The NFL’s 2025 season opener, set to be played in Berlin, marks an important milestone for the league as it continues to expand its reach internationally. Berlin, with its vibrant cultural scene and growing sports fanbase, is seen as a prime location for the league to showcase American football to a European audience. The opening event will feature a star-studded lineup of players, musical performances, and various festivities designed to engage both American and international fans. The league had hoped that having two major Hollywood stars like Voight and De Niro would help to bring even more attention to the event and its growing presence on the world stage.
However, Voight’s refusal to participate has cast a shadow over the NFL’s marketing plans. While some may view his rejection as a sign of principled integrity, others see it as an unfortunate missed opportunity to bring together two major figures from the world of entertainment to promote the NFL’s global ambitions. The ad campaign, which would have been a key part of the league’s efforts to drive excitement and viewership for the 2025 season opener, will now have to be reimagined without Voight’s star power.
The decision to have the 2025 NFL season opener in Berlin is part of the league’s broader strategy to expand the sport’s reach and increase its fanbase beyond the United States. As American football continues to grow in popularity in Europe, the NFL has increasingly looked to international cities like London and Mexico City to host regular-season games. Berlin, with its rich history and diverse population, is seen as an ideal city to showcase the sport’s international appeal. The NFL is hoping that by hosting the season opener in such a vibrant European city, it will generate more interest in the sport and establish a larger fan base across the continent.
The ad campaign, which was expected to feature a variety of stars, would have used Voight and De Niro to appeal to American audiences while also tapping into the European market by showcasing the two actors’ global fame. However, with Voight’s rejection, the NFL will now need to reconsider its approach and possibly find new ways to promote the event.
In the wake of Voight’s decision, the debate around “woke” culture and its impact on the entertainment industry continues to grow. Voight’s rejection of the NFL offer is just the latest example of the increasing polarization of the industry, where figures on the right are increasingly vocal in their opposition to progressive cultural trends. As the NFL looks to finalize its plans for the 2025 season opener, the actor’s comments are sure to fuel ongoing conversations about the intersection of politics, culture, and entertainment.
Whether or not the NFL will find another way to capture the attention of audiences and create excitement for the 2025 season opener in Berlin remains to be seen. But for now, Voight’s decision to reject the $20 million offer serves as a reminder of the growing divide in the entertainment world and the larger cultural battles playing out across the United States and beyond. The NFL’s international aspirations are now paired with the challenge of navigating these cultural tensions, as it continues to find new ways to engage with its global audience while respecting the diverse opinions of its stakeholders.
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