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It appears Jonathan Taylor has been a busy man in the day’s leading up to the NFL draft. This weekend he’ll find a new home for the first phase of his NFL career, but Taylor is wasting no time in the business world, inking multiple sponsorship and ownership deals over the course of the last week.
He first inked a deal to be part of the Under Armour family, which will keep him in Under Armour merch for years after his time with Wisconsin Football. Along with this new deal, Taylor also got into the hottest field in the game right now, the pizza world.
Yes, according to the Action Network’s Darren Rovell, Jonathan Taylor has signed a lifetime partnership deal with Toppers Pizza. According to Rovell, the deal is one of the largest pre-draft deals in history, despite the figures being unreported thus far. The deal also includes ownership of four franchises in the Madison area.
JUST IN: Former Wisconsin RB @JayT23 has signed one of the biggest pre-draft marketing deals with a lifetime partnership with @ToppersPizza that includes ownership of four franchises in Madison. Deal done by @everett_sm. pic.twitter.com/x8hvoZdQUX
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 21, 2020
Talk about big moves only! Imagine being a 21 year old kid and owning not one, not two, not three, but FOUR pizza franchises. To top that off? It’s all in the same week that JT inks a big shoe deal, AND likely gets some big money in the first or second round of the NFL Draft. What JT is doing at this age, versus what we we’re all probably doing is, well, different.
If we’re being honest, it’s crazy that that much talent and brains has been given to one human. Not only is the guy a beast on the football field, and in the business world, but he’s also the same kid that was studying astrophysics and philosophy during his time at UW. He’ll run you over, grab some pizza, and talk to you about the theories of his favorite philosopher Immanuel Kant. Now THAT is cool.
The problem with most spokespeople is: after they've spoken, they move on to the next gig. Find out why our team player to-be-named-later is so special on 4.21.20 #FRANCHISEPLAYER pic.twitter.com/HWfBxWFoUS
— Toppers Pizza (@ToppersPizza) April 20, 2020
Additionally, this is a pretty cool move for us local fans. Who doesn’t love some Toppers? Nothing hits better than some Topperstix’s after a few drinks at your local pub. Sure the big boys of the world like Dominos and Pizza Hut could probably offer an awesome deal, but Jonathan decided to keep his ties to Madison for life and invest in a local chain. This weekend he’ll move onto a new city and new home, but it’s apparent he will always feel connected to the city of Madison...at least on the pizza front.
He studied the playbook. He tossed the dough. He's already improving delivery times. It's safe to say our newest franchise owner is a natural. Get to know @JayT23 and get used to seeing him in a Toppers jersey. #FRANCHISEPLAYER pic.twitter.com/s15bYBhDQR
— Toppers Pizza (@ToppersPizza) April 21, 2020
TOPPERS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
What is your favorite thing to order from Toppers?
Owen: TOPPERSTIX. There is no better drunk food at 2am than ordering a Triple Order of Topperstix with some ranch and marinara and just smashing like 3000 calories in 8 minutes.
Ryan: I’m old school when it comes to pizza. I like to stick to what I know and love. That being said, my go-to is pepperoni pizza at Toppers and all pizza places. Original Topperstix are a close second.
Drew: Their buffalo chicken pizza is good, but the pepperoni Topperstix are God’s gift to us.
What is your preferred dipping sauce for Topperstix?
Owen: I’m a big fan of bleu cheese, but the Nacho Cheese sauce at Toppers smacks.
Ryan: Nacho cheese. Hands down.
Drew: I don’t know what it is about the nacho cheese at Toppers, because it is my favorite dipping sauce nowhere else, but it is the best one by far. It just hits different, especially after about a dozen beers.
Could you eat more slices of Toppers Pizza than Jonathan Taylor in a sitting?
Owen: I am not the man, or eater I once was, but as Toby Keith said: “I’m not as as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” I wouldn’t be happy about it, but I’m pretty confident in my ability to gorge myself against about anybody.
Ryan: Could I do more of something that the GOAT, Jonathan Taylor, probably not. However, he is currently awaiting his entrance into the NFL, so I am guessing he is limiting himself to a limited number of slices and exhibiting self control, whereas my NFL prospects are less than optimal, so I have nothing to lose… Push comes to shove, he would beat me, but right now, I think he would stop after a couple.
Drew: Yes. Yes I could. This is probably the only thing in the world I am better than Jonathan Taylor at so even if he tried to eat more than he wanted, I would eat one more slice.