As everyone prepares to come together and watch Super Bowl LVII to see two of the best NFL teams face off, many look forward to much more than the sport as every year a new round of commercials are released to shock audiences around the world.
Last year, the Super Bowl garnered more than 99.18 million viewers, making it the most-watched annual sporting event in the world.
And since eyes will be locked to the screens for the duration of the game, the sporting event is the perfect place for major companies to advertise.
Every year, companies pay upwards of $7 million just for a 30-second spot, and since the Super Bowl is the largest broadcast, advertisers desperately try to come up with unique ways to grab the attention of viewers, even if that means sparking outrage.
Ahead of the 2023 Super Bowl which will see the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, FEMAIL has revealed the most controversial and jaw-dropping commercials.
‘Hypocritical’ and ‘too controversial’: 84 Lumber commercial depicted mom and daughter attempting to cross border
This nearly six-minute ad sparked furious debate as it depicted a mother and daughter’s journey to the United States
This nearly six-minute ad sparked furious debate as it depicted a mother and daughter’s journey to the United States.
The 84 Lumber commercial shows the duo traveling until they reach the border, only to be met with a wall.
The 2017 ad came mere weeks after President Trump’s inauguration and was dubbed to be ‘too controversial’ by Fox.
The 2017 ad came mere weeks after President Trump’s inauguration and was dubbed to be ‘too controversial’ by Fox
The 84 Lumber commercial shows the duo traveling until they reach the border, only to be met with a wall
Because of the network’s suggestion, the building supply company decided to air a 90-second alternative, which didn’t depict the wall, but directed viewers to head to its website to watch the full clip.
Many audience members couldn’t hide their anger as they slammed the company for using immigration to market the company.
Others claimed the clip was hypocritical because the CEO of 84 Lumber was said to have supported Trump’s border wall plan.
‘Tasteless’: Groupon’s Tibet ad was slammed for making light out of serious issues
In 2011, the coupon company aired an ad that sparked outrage amongst viewers as it made light of the political turmoil in Tibet
The commercial featured Timothy Hutton, 50, who said: ‘The people of Tibet are in trouble, their very culture in jeopardy’
Groupon has earned a reputation when it comes to Super Bowl commercials over the years, and this one was no different.
In 2011, the coupon company aired an ad that sparked outrage amongst viewers as it made light of the political turmoil in Tibet.
The commercial featured Timothy Hutton, 50, who said: ‘The people of Tibet are in trouble, their very culture in jeopardy.
‘But they still whip up an amazing fish curry. And since 200 of us bought on Groupon.com we’re getting $30 worth of Tibetan food for just $15 at a Himalayan restaurant in Chicago.’
The commercial was deemed ‘tasteless’ by viewers as many consumers threatened to abandon the brand.
The advertisement sparked savage criticism and fierce backlash.
A ‘dividing ad’: Tim Tebow’s Focus on Family anti-abortion ad was heavily criticized
One of NFL’s was heavily criticized by women’s groups. The commercial featured college football star Tim Tebow, and pushed viewers to celebrate life and avoid abortion
One of NFL’s own was heavily criticized by women’s groups. The commercial featured college football star Tim Tebow, and pushed viewers to celebrate life and avoid abortion.
The 2010 ad was paid for by the conservative Christian group, Focus on the Family, and told the story of Pam Tebow’s pregnancy in 1987 with the theme of ‘Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life.’
After falling ill during a mission trip to the Philippines, the mom ignored her doctor’s recommendation to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.
The 2010 ad was paid for by the conservative Christian group, Focus on the Family, and told the story of Pam Tebow’s pregnancy in 1987
The commercial was met with fierce outrage from women who said it should have never been approved to air in the first place.
The New York-based Women’s Media Center coordinated a protest with backing from the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and other groups.
‘An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year – an event designed to bring Americans together,’ Jehmu Greene, president of the Women’s Media Centre, said.
A treat and controversy? Snickers ad slammed for being ‘homophobic’
In 2007, a Snickers ad sparked furious backlash, which resulted in it being pulled from the air for being too homophobic
In 2007, a Snickers ad sparked furious backlash, which resulted in it being pulled from the air for being too homophobic.
The ad showed two men eating a Snickers bar Lady and the Tramp-style and accidentally kissing.
After the two kissed, they immediately screamed and demanded they do something ‘manly.’
The ad showed to men eating a Snickers bar Lady and the Tramp-style and accidentally kissing
After the two kissed, they immediately screamed and demanded they do something ‘manly’
Many viewers claimed the commercial was promoting the idea that gay men couldn’t be manly as well as fueling anti-gay bullying.
The ad was also criticized by the Human Rights Campaign, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
In a statement, Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese said: ‘This type of jeering from professional sports figures at the sight of two men kissing fuels the kind of anti-gay bullying that haunts countless gay and lesbian school children on playgrounds all across the country.’
A message gone wrong? General Motors attempt to show its commitment to quality is dubbed ‘dark’ as it features a robot suicide
During the 2007 Super Bowl, General Motors ran an ad that showcased a robot who was fired from the company’s factory for committing a minor error on the job
During the 2007 Super Bowl, General Motors ran an ad that showcased a robot who was fired from the company’s factory for committing a minor error on the job.
The commercial sparked furious outrage as it depicted the robot committing suicide due to its mistake.
After the robot was fired, viewers saw it search and go through various jobs, but after failing to find meaningful work, the robot then throws itself off a bridge in the middle of the night.
And while the robot didn’t actually die and the story was all a dream, many viewers had an issue with the explicit suicide imagery.
After the robot was fired, viewers saw it search and go through various jobs, but after failing to find meaningful work, the robot then throws itself off a bridge in the middle of the night
The commercial sparked furious outrage as it depicted the robot committing suicide due to its mistake
A spokesperson for the automotive manufacturing company claimed the ad was meant to showcase the company’s obsession and commitment to making quality automobiles.
But the American Society for Suicide Prevention made its objection to the commercial very clear.
After the ad left viewers wanting to abandon GM all together, the company was forced to remove the robot suicide.
‘Cruel’ GoDaddy ad sparks outrage with dog lovers as it’s slammed for promoting puppy mills
Website builder GoDaddy received fierce criticism in 2015 after teasing an advert about a puppy who falls off a pickup truck and finds its way home – only to be sold by its owner
Buddy is thrown from the bed of the truck and he faces a treacherous journey home across train tracks before finally finding his way back home
Website builder GoDaddy received fierce criticism in 2015 after teasing an advert about a puppy who falls off a pickup truck and finds its way home – only to be sold by its owner.
The commercial shocked viewers who slammed the domain registrar for promoting puppy mills.
The ad opens with nine-week-old pooch Buddy riding in the back of a truck.
Buddy is thrown from the bed of the truck and he faces a treacherous journey home across train tracks, and through mud and rain.
Finally, the pooch sees his owners’ farm and runs towards, leaping into their arms.
Buddy is placed in a van and driven away by GoDaddy spokesperson and racing star Danica Patrick
Viewers also slammed the domain registrar for making light of puppy mills, noting that it was no laughing matter
And while the commercial would’ve had viewers grinning from ear to ear had it ended there, instead, the owner revealed it was only happy to see the pup because she had sold him on a website set up with the help of GoDaddy.
Buddy is placed in a van and driven away by GoDaddy spokesperson and racing star Danica Patrick.
Just one day after the teaser was released, the ad received furious backlash, with many customers noting that they would not be registering with the company.
Viewers also slammed the domain registrar for making light of puppy mills, noting that it was no laughing matter.
Nationwide Insurance’s commercial dubbed ‘depressing’ for depicting a boy who died from an accident
Nationwide Insurance brought on vicious criticism when it aired a ‘dark’ and ‘depressing’ commercial about a young boy who died in an accident during the 2015 Super Bowl
Nationwide Insurance brought on vicious criticism when it aired a ‘dark’ and ‘depressing’ commercial about a young boy who died in an accident during the 2015 Super Bowl.
The advert opened with a young boy discussing the various milestones he will miss throughout his life, including learning to ride a bike, receiving ‘cooties’ from a girl and getting married.
‘I’ll never learn to ride a bike or get cooties. I’ll never learn to fly or travel the world with my best friend. And I won’t ever get married,’ he said during the commercial.
The advert opened with a young boy discussing the various milestones he will miss throughout his life, including learning to ride a bike, receiving ‘cooties’ from a girl and getting married
The advert showed a haunting image of an overflowing bathtub that makes viewers presume the child died by drowning
‘I couldn’t grow up. Because I died from an accident.’
The advert showed a haunting image of an overflowing bathtub that makes viewers presume the child died by drowning, alongside the words: ‘The number one cause of childhood deaths is preventable accidents.’
Within seconds of airing, thousands of football fans took to social media to express their disgust.
‘Sexist’ Dodge ad is criticized for showing men describing their annoyances with their wives – claiming they will put up with it to drive a Charger
The car company sparked fierce outrage and was branded ‘sexist’ after airing an ad that featured men complaining about various things their wives said so they could drive a Dodge
It was also said to be offensive because it emphasized the idea by purchasing the car, men will be protesting against women
The car company sparked fierce outrage and was branded ‘sexist’ after airing an ad that featured men listing various annoyances they had with their wives that they put up with so they could drive a Dodge Charger.
The commercial featured multiple men blankly staring into the camera claiming they would attend work meetings, take their wives’ call, wash the sink, put the seat down, and other complaints they had with their partners.
At the end of the list, one of the men said: ‘And because I do this, I will drive the car I want to drive. The Charger, man’s last stand.’
The commercial was slammed by viewers, especially women, who claimed the ad was aimed solely at men, and attempted to convince men to buy the car to feel more ‘manly.’
It was also said to be offensive because it emphasized the idea by purchasing the car, men will be protesting against women.
‘Offensive’ Groupon commercial starring Elizabeth Hurley compares rainforest deforestation to waxing
The coupon company came under fire after Elizabeth Hurley appeared in a commercial that was slammed for its comparison of the deforestation of the rainforest to a Brazilian bikini wax
The coupon company came under fire once again after Elizabeth Hurley appeared in a 2012 commercial that was slammed for its comparison of the deforestation of the Brazilian rainforest to a Brazilian bikini wax.
In the ad, the actress, now 57, said: ‘The rainforest is irreplaceable, yet rampant deforestation is threatening this natural treasure.
‘But, not all deforestation is bad. And since 100 of us bought on Groupon.com, we’re all saving 50 per cent on a Brazilian wax at Completely Bare in New York City.’
The commercial was met with fierce criticism as it was said to be making light of a serious issue
The commercial was met with fierce criticism as it was said to be making light of a serious issue.
Groupon’s co-founder Andrew Mason issued a statement on the site explaining the about-turn.
‘We hate that we offended people, and we’re very sorry that we did – it’s the last thing we wanted,’ he said.
Mason added that the ads would be replaced with ‘something less polarizing.’
Cooking up controversy! Carl’s Jr. All Natural commercial sparked outrage
In 2015, Carl’s Jr. unveiled a controversial ad starring model Charlotte McKinney, which was slammed for setting ‘feminism back four decades’
In 2015, Carl’s Jr. unveiled a controversial ad starring model Charlotte McKinney, which was slammed for setting ‘feminism back four decades.’
The commercial showed the model walking through the streets wearing a bikini top and short shorts while attracting numerous stares from men.
After walking through the streets, she takes a big bite out of the burger.
The commercial showed the model walking through the streets wearing a bikini top and short shorts while attracting numerous stares from men
Viewers slammed the fast food chain for objectifying women, especially since it was unclear that the ad was promoting their All Natural hamburger until 28 seconds in.
And while Carl’s Jr. attempted to use the philosophy ‘sex sells,’ they were met with viewers who had lost their appetite during the big game.
Many football fans were so offended they took to social media to tweet about their frustration with the hashtag, ‘women are more than meat.’
A very scandalous message! PETA’s ad claims ‘vegans last longer’ in bed while depicting couples in between the sheets
The commercial attempted to convince football fans that those who don’t eat meat last longer in bed than those who do
When PETA aired a NSFW commercial during the 2016 commercial, viewers were left shocked.
The ad showed two couples – one pair were meat eaters and the other were vegans.
The commercial attempted to convince football fans that those who don’t eat meat last longer in bed than those who do.
The ad raised eyebrows with its racy clip that showed scantily-clad couples in between the sheets.
Many viewers, even those who were vegan, noted that the commercial was too sexual.
The ad raised eyebrows with its racy clip that showed scantily-clad couples in between the sheets
The ad was soon banned for its explicit content.
PETA’s Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said that banning the advert meant viewers were missing out on ‘comedy and sex appeal.’
She said in a statement: ‘Super Bowl 50 audiences will be missing out on comedy, sex appeal, and the lifesaving message that vegan meals can help clear clogged-up carnivores and get their blood pumping again.
‘PETA’s edgy but crowd-pleasing TV spot shows that vegans may have a banana in their pajama pocket, just to snack on later, but they’re also really pleased to see you.’
A petition to end the race: Skechers commercial that shows dogs racing is protested against for promoting abusive treatment of pups
Skechers caused a stir amongst viewers in 2012 when it aired a commercial that was slammed and protested against for appearing to promote dog racing
Skechers caused a stir amongst viewers in 2012 when it aired a commercial that was slammed and protested against for appearing to promote dog racing.
The 30-second ad showed a French bulldog, wearing Skechers’ GOrun sneakers and lining up at the starting gate during a greyhound race.
The bulldog named Mr. Quiggly wins the race and credits the shoes.
The clip was met with fierce criticism as viewers claimed it was advertising cruel treatment of dogs.
The 30-second ad showed a French bulldog, wearing Skechers’ GOrun sneakers and lining up at the starting gate during a greyhound race
A petition to ban the commercial was even created by Change.org, who begged football fans to ‘ask the company not to support the cruelty of dog racing’
A petition to ban the commercial was even created by Change.org, who begged football fans to ‘ask the company not to support the cruelty of dog racing.’
It noted that the commercial was filmed at the Tucson Greyhound Park, and depicted greyhounds racing and losing against the smaller dog.
The petition explained that at the filming center, greyhounds are kept in small cages that are said to be ‘barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around.’
The ‘ad from hell’: Just for Feet’s ‘racist’ ad sparks furious criticism
The shoe company may possibly receive the throne for the most controversial ad of all time. Its 1999 commercial was dubbed the ‘ad from hell’
It showed a barefoot Kenyan runner being hunted down by mercenaries, who drugged him and knocked him out cold
The shoe company may possibly receive the throne for the most controversial ad of all time after its 1999 commercial was dubbed the ‘ad from hell.’
The commercial was so bad the company sued its advertising agency and never recovered from the damage of the ad.
It showed a barefoot Kenyan runner being hunted down by mercenaries, who drugged him and knocked him out cold.
When the runner woke, he had Just for Feet shoes on him.
A spokesperson for the brand claimed it was trying to communicate that their consumers would do anything to get their hands on a pair of shoes.
However, the ad was met with fierce outrage, especially because it showed four individuals hunting down a black man.
The ad was slammed for being ‘racist,’ ‘appalling’ and ‘insensitive.’
In response, Just for Feet sued the advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi, for $10 million.
However, the lawsuit was dropped when the shoe company filed for bankruptcy.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk