The NFL and cheese giants are set to collab for years to come in Parmigiano Reggiano’s first sponsorship of a United States sports team
If you’re heading to New Jersey’s Metlife Stadium this football season, expect cheese, cheese, and more cheese. But not just any cheese: the King of Cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano.
In a news release, the Italian cheese’s consortium shared that its sponsorship of the New York Jets football team is not only the first time Parmigiano Reggiano has backed a United States sports team—it’s also the start of a strategic multiyear partnership.
“The Jets are excited to partner with Parmigiano Reggiano, a globally recognized and respected brand,” said Jeff Fernandez, a senior vice president of business development and ventures for the Jets. “This partnership continues the Jets’ long-term commitment to providing fans with the world-class international cuisine they are accustomed to during home games at MetLife Stadium and throughout New York City.”
Ticketholders can expect cheese-forward activations ranging from new concessions to cam segments such as the “Say Cheese” cam and “Cheesy Dance” cam. Cheese sampling will occur Oct. 19 in the stadium’s tailgate zone for the Jets-Carolina Panthers game and Nov. 30 for the Jets-Atlanta Falcons game. Parmigiano Reggiano can also be added at designated Nonna Fusco’s stands throughout the stadium. In addition, the release notes that Parmigiano Reggiano-forward dishes will be served at “various food destinations including the Commissioner’s Club, Green Room, and Coaches Club, where the Jets will offer antipasto stations featuring Parmigiano Reggiano and tossed pasta stations using Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels.”
“Parmigiano Reggiano has always championed athletes and sport, and we are delighted to take to the field alongside an American football legend like the New York Jets, who share our core values of excellence and commitment to greatness,” says Nicola Bertinelli, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium’s president.
Overall, the sponsorship will place Parmigiano Reggiano in front of thousands of New York-area consumers at a time when 15% tariffs on European Union imports are expected to affect the buying and selling of European cheeses in the US. More than 16,000 tons of Parmigiano Reggiano were exported to the US in 2024 alone, rendering the US Parmigiano Reggiano’s top foreign market.
“The Jets are one of the strongest symbols of New York, a city that represents the beating heart of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO in the USA. With this sponsorship, we want to strengthen our bond with American culture through the tradition of football, a true collective ritual that unites generations, families, and communities,” Bertinelli says. “American football is entertainment, conviviality, sociability, and sharing, in which food is the social glue par excellence. Being alongside the New York Jets means creating a relationship with consumers and sharing with them what makes Parmigiano Reggiano unique.”
Alana Pedalino
Alana Pedalino serves as Managing Editor of culture. Her work has been featured in Bon Appétit, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and more. She loves to write, cook, and kayak. Find her bylines at alanapedalino.com.
