San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said the NFL had fined him $10,000 for appearing at a post-game press conference with Beats by Dre headphones around his neck.
Kaepernick has a sponsorship deal with Beats by Dre, but rival manufacturer Bose has a league-wide deal that makes it the “Official Sound of the NFL”.
Last year Kaepernick was asked not to wear his headphones during a press conference in London — a request he ignored, although it’s not known if he was fined that time.
On Sunday, Kaepernick sported bright pink headphones — reported to be a nod to Breast Cancer Awareness — as he addressed the media following the 49ers’ victory over Kansas City.
Asked if Beats by Dre paid his fine, Kaepernick said: “We’ll let that be unanswered.”