Yeti, a manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products that include its highly popular and well-known coolers, is apparently cutting business ties with the National Rifle Association, an NRA Florida lobbyist wrote in an email to its members.
The email, written by Marion Hammer, read:
“Suddenly, without prior notice, YETI has declined to do business with The NRA Foundation saying they no longer wish to be an NRA vendor, and refused to say why. They will only say they will no longer sell products to The NRA Foundation. That certainly isn’t sportsmanlike. In fact, YETI should be ashamed. They have declined to continue helping America’s young people enjoy outdoor recreational activities. These activities enable them to appreciate America and enjoy our natural resources with wholesome and healthy outdoor recreational and educational programs.”
The NRA noted in the email that Yeti coolers are a highly sought-out item at the Friends of NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction events around the U.S. that raise money for youth and educational programs.
Yeti said Monday that the letter is “inaccurate,” and that the company ended some “outdoor discounting programs” that the NRA took part in, USA TODAY reported, and will now offer “an alternative customization program.”
Yeti had not returned USA TODAY’s request for further comment and to elaborate.
“The youth of America who benefit from these programs are the future hunters, hikers, fishermen/women, bikers, campers, wildlife photographers, mountain climbers, sportsmen/women and conservationists who will protect our natural resources and recreational lands,” the NRA wrote in the email.
Yeti has yet to release a formal statement regarding its decision to cut some business with the NRA.
However, many NRA supporters took to the Yeti Facebook page to express their dissatisfaction with the company.
“I have 2 YETI coolers and was going to buy the larger one this weekend. Bought an Igloo instead. NRA members and supporters are the bulk of your business as outdoorsmen,” one supporter wrote on the page.
“Thank God I didn’t buy your cooler, you are fools for not supporting the NRA. The NRA has done more hard work to promote gun safety and advocacy for the citizens of this country than any other organization in history. Shame on you,” another supporter wrote.
A number of companies have cut business ties with the NRA following the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School where 17 people were killed in February.
These companies include Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, MetLife, Symantec and Wyndham Hotels.
Yeti was founded in 2006 and is well-known for its premium hard coolers that start around $200.
It’s not clear exactly how much business the NRA does with Yeti.
