Eli Manning And Jameson Team Up To Give Football Fans A $5 Million Bar Tab

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 05: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants celebrates after Runningback Ahmad Bradshaw #44 ran the ball for a 6 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Giants defeated the Patriots 21-17. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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The 2026 NFL Season is well underway and Giants fans sure could use a drink. Not to mention a quarterback. Eli Manning and Jameson – the official spirits sponsor of the NFL – can help. In one regard, at least. In fact, they are helping every football fan across the US by way of a $5 million nationwide bar tab. It’s called “America’s Biggest Round,” a celebration of the folks who show up at their local bar each game day to support their favorite team as well as their favorite watering holes.

As the country’s top-selling Irish Whiskey, Jameson is quite committed to supporting that ritual. Spiritually and financially. You can claim your share of that multi-million dollar largess through rebates and sweepstakes prizes offered at JamesonWhiskey.com throughout the season. Also look for QR codes on Jameson coasters at participating bars across the country to unlock further offers.

To find out more about the promotion we sat down over Zoom with its official spokesperson, Eli Manning. In a spirited interview below the two-time Super Bowl MVP (and future Hall of Famer) shares more details about America’s Biggest Round, while revealing who picks up the tab when dining out with his own famous football family. He also offers some Saturday Night Live coaching advice for fellow New York sports champion Jalen Brunson. The NBA Finals MVP hosts the season premiere this weekend.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Talk to us about the Jameson partnership and why it’s so special to you.

Eli Manning: “Yeah, I’m excited to partner with Jameson and kick off America’s Biggest Round, which is a $5 million bar tab that’s nationwide. It really is just a celebration of the fans that show up every week rooting on their favorite team, and the local bars that provide such a great game day experience for everybody. Football has so much to do with tradition: who you watch the games with, and where you’re watching it. Jameson does a good job of recognizing that it is about creating these moments and these memories, and it’s a great way to do it all season long; going to different local bars and having the first round on Jameson.”

Speaking of first round, for someone like yourself who was selected in the first round, when you went out for drinks with your teammates what was the protocol there in terms of picking up the tab? Does the quarterback have to pick up the first round, or who is that on?

EM: “Yeah, the quarterback I’d say usually has to pick up the first round. And you want to. I mean, you’re usually out with your offensive linemen. That was kind of a big deal. You take your offensive linemen out to eat a few times during the year, and you take your receivers. So you want to make sure you’re buying them their meals. And I promise you, offensive linemen, they don’t just have like a petite steak. They’re ordering multiple steaks, multiple appetizers. But hey, if they’re keeping me healthy and keeping those big guys away from me, it’s worth it to keep those guys well fed.”

Was there anybody on the team, or somebody in your family, or anybody that you can throw under the bus in terms of that person who just kind of mysteriously disappears when it’s their turn to pick up the tab?

EM: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, that guy. You know, ‘Oh, I forgot my wallet again.’ Weird. You know, that person. No, we have pretty good friends. I will say though that my dad still picks up the tab whenever we go to dinner as a family. So I’ll try to sneak it in there every once in a while. Even Peyton will try to sneak it in, but he’s too quick. I think he calls before and makes sure to tell the restaurant, ‘Don’t let my boys pick up anything.’ So he’s still the man, and the dad, and making sure he’s taking care of his boys.”

So there’s no rushing the quarterback there on getting to the bill before him?

EM: “No. I’ve tried. I’ve tried different things. Just can’t do it. He’s too good. He’s too sneaky. He prepares for this. He knows our sneak attacks and has a counterattack ready.”

Jameson is such an indelible symbol of Ireland. Have you gotten to spend any time in that part of the world? And if so, do you have a favorite Irish pub?

EM: “I have spent a little time in Ireland. Just been over there a few times for some golf trips. I can’t really say I had a favorite one. I just remember being at a restaurant and asking, ‘Hey, what’s a great Irish pub to go after this?’ And they’re like, ‘We just call them pubs over here. You don’t have to call them Irish pubs.’ I’m like, oh yeah. That makes sense, now that I think about it. But it was more about walking the streets of Dublin, just finding a good one and going in there, and they always take great care of me. I had a lot of wonderful experiences. And again, in those cases it’s usually the people that you’re with. And I’ve been there with my brothers, with great friends, and lots of laughs every time we’re over there. And the people are so friendly and the environment is just so welcoming.”

Were those fond memories part of what made this partnership so alluring?

EM: “Sure. But I also thought it was just a great campaign. And I’m an also a big fan of a Jameson Old Fashioned. So I think just that combination of all that. I appreciate the fans and how important the fans are and for them to have their favorite local bar, like, ‘Hey, this is my lucky spot, this is where I go on game day, no matter what.” And seeing your same kind of buddies or pals, or just your Sunday pals that you see during football season when your favorite team’s playing, that happen to be at the same spot, and to cheer on your team. I still remember winning that first Super Bowl and just kind of the videos from bars all across New York and just the celebration going on when we win. I remember being at a bar watching the Knicks play some games during their playoff stretch this year, and just the high fives, the celebrations, those moments are special. And I think Jameson is recognizing that; celebrating those fans and those places that create these great atmospheres.”

Funny you should mention the Knicks. When I last interviewed you in January, you actually did predict that they would win the team’s first championship in 53 years. And I remember seeing you and Jeter at one of the NBA Finals games in June. I was wondering if you guys had a conference call with Jalen Brunson after he won. Maybe you patch in Mark Messier. But do you formally call him to welcome him into the New York Ring Club?

EM: “No, you know I’m waiting for that call also. I thought when I won one, I was going to get the call and get welcomed into, like, the special secret championship club. Maybe I’d get a cool jacket or a special number to dial if I ever needed anything. But I’m still waiting for that.”

So if you guys are all going to go out to dinner together now to some notoriously hard New York reservation like 4 Charles or Polo Bar, who do you think should make the call to get the easiest guaranteed reservation?

EM: “I think Jeter. I think Jeter’s still the guy. He won a lot of World Series here in New York, and he was definitely kind of the role model for me when I got to New York. He was still here, and just kind of following his path, how he handled the media, how he was a great teammate, a captain, and just went out there and performed each and every year. But also seemed like he was having fun in New York. And so I think he’s still the guy where I think he’d be a hard one for anyone to turn down a reservation request for him.”

Wouldn’t be a smart business move, no. As for Brunson, he’ll be hosting Saturday Night Live this week. You hosted in 2012 shortly after your second Super Bowl victory. Any advice you can share with your fellow New York champion?

EM: “It is a little bit of pressure. So I would just suggest you got to go all out when you’re doing that. Be there all week [during rehearsals]. I kind of treated it like a football week. You prepare all week for one game. Basketball, they play a lot more games. But just have fun with it, embrace it, don’t be scared to make fun of yourself. I remember telling all the actors and the actresses and the writers, I said, ‘Hey, I am not an actor. So if I’m not saying it right, just coach me up. One thing I am, I am coachable. And I want this to be funny, I want it to be good, I am going to give all my effort and make it as good as possible.’ So I think they appreciate that. And I mean, there were some pretty good skits.

Jameson is famously easy drinking for shots. But who was a defensive player that give you the hardest shots? Somebody that when he was lining up across from you on the other side of the line of scrimmage, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’d rather be hosting SNL this week.’

EM: “DeMarcus Ware. He was a defensive end and outside linebacker for the Cowboys. I think he sacked me more than any other player. He was actually pretty nice about it, though. He never, like, hit me that hard. He just kind of tackled me, and he never talked much trash after. But he was always someone we had to try and account for. And now he’s been voted into the Hall of Fame. So I feel like I was a big part of him getting in [laughs].”

Well that was very thoughtful of you, Eli. Thanks so much for your time today and go Big Blue.

EM: “No problem. And don’t forget to go check out JamesonWhiskey.com!”