Sports Biz

Published: Tuesday, 28 Jul 2009 | 1:12 PM ET

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AP Michael Vick

Last week, we asked you what you thought would happen if Michael Vick signed with an NFL team. Nearly 40 percent of you said that you thought that it would drive an NFL or team sponsor to leave the sport.

So, on the heels of Vick getting reinstated yesterday, we decided to get in touch with 11 NFL sponsors.

Three hours later, not a single comment.

I’m speculating that almost all league sponsors, if not all, will take this strategy into at least the point where Vick gets on the playing field. Say nothing until pressured. No need to make any statement.

Video: CNBC's Darren Rovell reports on the NFL's decision to re-instate QB Michael Vick.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think, given what they have invested in the sport and the returns they project, that any big league sponsors will leave the game because of Vick’s reinstatement. I do, however, think it is possible that a small team sponsor will choose to walk away if the team they advertise with signs Vick. Doing so might even allow them to stand out and give them a bigger bang for their buck.

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