It was recently announced that the Robertson family's Duck Commander business will be the title sponsor of both a NASCAR race at the Texas Motor Speedway and the college football Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. The "Duck Dynasty" clan has much appreciation for each of the sports, and their Duck Commander hunting products likely appeal to many in the NASCAR and football arenas.
The Robertson family's appreciation for football traces back to patriarch Phil Robertson's college years. Phil played football on scholarship at Louisiana Tech, starting at quarterback ahead of National Football League (NFL) star Terry Bradshaw. He eventually declined an offer to play with the Washington Redskins and a chance to play in the NFL, however, because football interfered with duck hunting season. Bradshaw was given the opportunity to start at Louisiana Tech when Phil chose not to play his senior year, and he went on to win four Super Bowls as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both the Duck Commander business and A&E's reality television show "Duck Dynasty" have been immensely successful for the Robertson family, whose net worth is an estimated $83 million. The Shreveport Times reports that Duck Commander will be the title sponsor of the Independence Bowl for the next six years, saying that the amount paid for the sponsorship is "on par" with previous sponsor AdvoCare's $800,000. They also estimate that the sponsorship for the NASCAR race may cost around $3 million.
