NFL fines quarterback Colin Kaepernick for wearing Beats headphones

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing Beats headphones, which are banned by the league, at a post-game press conference on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. Bose recently took over as the NFL's new headphone sponsor, and as part of that, the league is banning all other headphone brands from being televised during interviews. It's a potentially major hit to Beats, which has received a wealth of exposure from athletes.

The headphones were pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Kaepernick has an endorsement deal with Beats and has appeared in one of its commercials. He declined to say whether Beats would cover the fine, telling reporters, "We'll let that be unanswered."

Since news of the ban spread last week, the NFL has emphasized that the rule is its own, and not one dictated by Bose. "The NFL has longstanding policies that prohibit branded exposure on-field or during interviews unless authorized by the league," it said in a statement. Players are allowed to use equipment from other companies, but they're required to cover up the logo.

#49ers QB Colin Kaepernick still rocking Beats by Dre headphones after beating #KCChiefs pic.twitter.com/A5Hh4uVaWn

— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) October 6, 2014

• ViaConsumerist
• SourceAssociated Press (USA Today)
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