Nope, YETI Didn’t Cut Their Ties With The NRA – They Just Stopped A Program

If you are not familiar with YETI products, they are some top of the line products that keeps your drinks cold or hot for a very long time, and they are certainly proud of their products as evidenced by their price tags.  Recently, a past National Rifle Association President claimed that YETI, who had been a long time supporter of the NRA had cut ties with the Second Amendment organization.

First, the National Rifle Association – Institute for Legislative Action posted the following:

DATE:	April 20, 2018
TO:	USF & NRA Member and Friends
FROM:	Marion P. Hammer
USF Executive Director
NRA Past President

 

For years YETI Coolers have been a hot item for sportsmen at the Friends of NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction events around the country.

These Foundation events raise money to support youth programs and educational programs nationwide. 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.

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 Foundation is 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization.

In this day and age, information is power.  We thought you needed this information.

https://www.yeti.com/contact-us.html

YETI

CORPORATE OFFICE

7601 Southwest Parkway
Austin, TX 78735
1-512-394-9384

New spread quickly about the apparent ties being cut.

According to an online post, the company was ending a “wide range of legacy vendor programs,” not singling out the NRA.

https://instagram.com/p/Bh5aIIYHIbR/?utm_source=ig_embed

I was unable to find this as an official company statement online.  However, some posted other statements that appear to be from someone on Facebook claiming to be “an ambassador for” YETI that could not be validated.

Thank you @EdGramza_Hunter for this!

Every story has 2 sides. #YETI #NRA pic.twitter.com/UxR6lbMMJm

— Brittany Jill (@Britt_Jill_) April 23, 2018

Finally, YETI issued an official statement about the NRA-ILA’s statement via Twitter.

https://twitter.com/YETICoolers/status/988500276855427072

Clearly, they continue to support the Second Amendment, outdoorsmen and the NRA, but they just won’t be providing products the way they have in the past.

And this was summed up by a hunter on Twitter.

They didn’t drop them. There are two sides to every story. The internet trolls are blowing it out of proportion. YETI is not donating product anymore. They expect them to purchase product at a discount.

— Ed Gramza (@EdGramza_Hunter) April 23, 2018

YETI’s competitors RTIC took advantage of the controversy and posted a picture with the words of the Second Amendment to their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/rticcoolers/posts/1640663449322975

With companies legitimately cutting their ties and distancing themselves from the Second Amendment and real Americans, it’s nice to know that is not the case with some companies like YETI.

I’m glad this is cleared up.  Now the two can kiss and make up.