Budweiser blasts NFL following Ray Rice scandal- but stops short of pulling money

Top sponsor hits out at league's management after scandals overshadow start of NFL season

NFL running back Ray Rice was filmed striking his fiancée (AP)

American football sponsor Budweiser has expressed concern over the recent scandals that have rocked the start of the NFL season, but did not elaborate on whether it would review its advertising contract with the league.

Anheuser-Busch, the makers of Budweiser, said it is "not yet satisfied" with the league's behaviour in a strong-worded statement issued on Tuesday. The company added it is "increasingly concerned" about the handling of the incidents, which include two cases of alleged domestic violence.

"We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviours that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code. We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league," it added.

However, the company failed to go into specifics and did not elaborate on whether it is considering pulling out of its sponsorship. As the league's official beer sponsor, Budweiser has a business relation with approximately 88 per cent of the teams, making it the second-biggest NFL sponsor only behind sports drink Gatorade, according to data compiled by consultants IEG LLC.

With advertising money potentially on the spot, the NFL responded to Budweiser's statement, hinting at tougher sanctions: "We are taking action and there will be much more to come."

Budweiser's statement comes just days after Radisson hotel chain announced it would suspend its limited sponsorship of the Minnesota Vikings after player Adrian Peterson sparked outrage after he allegedly hit his four-year old son with a stick.

The hotel chain added: "We are closely following the situation and effective immediately, Radisson is suspending its limited sponsorship of the Vikings while we evaluate the facts and circumstances."

The Peterson incident follows the Ray Rice abuse scandal which saw the Baltimore Ravens star player being suspended after a brutal video in which he was captured knocking his then-fiancee and now wife Janay Palmer unconscious inside an elevator.

The league was accused of condoning domestic violence after it initially suspended Rice for two-games back in July, a decision which was initially welcomed by the Ravens. Rice has announced he will appeal his indefinite suspension, citing "a lack of a fair and impartial process".