In a surprising and bold move that’s already sparking conversations across the sports and tech worlds, Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly announced that every member of the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff and player roster will receive the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max—but there’s one condition: the entire team must agree to wear Pride-themed jerseys during a designated game or event in the upcoming NFL season.
The announcement came during a private event hosted at Apple Park, where Cook, an openly gay CEO and longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, spoke about the importance of visibility, allyship, and cultural influence in American sports.
“Sports teams, especially ones as iconic as the Packers, have the power to lead,” Cook said. “If they stand united in a gesture of support and inclusion, I’ll personally make sure every single coach and player gets the most powerful iPhone ever made—on launch day.”
Sources inside the Packers organization have confirmed that the offer was communicated directly to the front office and is now being seriously considered.
While some fans have praised the gesture as a meaningful intersection between tech, sports, and social progress, others have raised questions about whether the incentive overshadows the message.
The move has already lit up social media, with trending hashtags like #iPhoneForPride, #PackersChallenge, and #CookCallsGreenBay taking over both Twitter and Instagram.
Players within the team have remained mostly quiet for now, though a few younger members have reportedly expressed interest in the initiative, calling it a “cool and bold opportunity to stand for something bigger than football.”
One anonymous source within the organization said, “This isn’t just about phones. It’s about what kind of team we want to be known as. The locker room is already talking.”
The NFL has not issued an official statement, but league insiders suggest this could spark a broader conversation about league-wide participation in Pride events and the role of corporate influence in shaping public gestures of solidarity.
Tim Cook, for his part, closed his announcement with a simple challenge:
“Let’s see if Green Bay is ready to lead on and off the field.”
Whether the Packers accept remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this story is far from over.
