Bose providing free headphones to NFL players

As a part of the company's new partnership deal with the NFL, Bose has shipped free headphones to players around the league, Pro Football Talk reported Friday morning.

Bose began its partnership this year, after the league's 13-year, $40 million per year deal with Motorola ended after the 2012-2013 season.

The new sponsorship has been complicated because many players own products from competing brands. In order to support their new partner, the NFL has banned players from wearing non-Bose gear on camera before and after games, as well as at practices and camps.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was fined $10,000 this week for wearing Beats by Dre headphones in a press conference after his team's victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

The Panthers first revealed the gifts on Friday morning. Defensive end Charles Johnson shared his recent windfall, as did kicker Graham Gano.

Bose was already the official home audio sponsor for the NFL, but no details about the deal covering sideline headphones have been released. Reportedly, however, the league turned down an offer from Motorola to increase their contract to $50 million per year.

- Christopher Woody

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