In a bizarre twist that stunned both the football world and Silicon Valley, England and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice reportedly turned down a $244 million global advertising deal with Tesla, walking away from what would’ve been one of the most lucrative sponsorship contracts in history.
Even more astonishing? Instead of the mega-deal, Rice was offered a Tesla Model 3 as a “thank you gift” — a car that starts at just under $40,000. While Elon Musk’s camp called it a “symbolic gesture,” insiders say Rice’s refusal was deliberate, pointed, and personal.
Sources close to both Tesla and Rice confirmed that the £190 million-rated footballer was tapped to be the face of Tesla’s Model Y Global Reintroduction Campaign, an ambitious initiative aimed at blending luxury EV branding with global athletic stardom. But just days before the highly anticipated Model Y relaunch in Shanghai, Rice shocked Musk’s team with a polite but firm “no,” citing four major reasons that reportedly left the billionaire CEO speechless.
Declan Rice missed Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool because of hamstring problem – BBC Sport
Reason #1: “I’m not selling what I don’t believe in.”
Declan Rice has always been known for his grounded nature. According to a member of his PR team, Rice was uncomfortable endorsing a product he doesn’t personally use or understand.
“Declan’s a Range Rover guy. He doesn’t own a Tesla, he doesn’t drive EVs regularly. It felt disingenuous,” said the source. “He didn’t want to be just another athlete cashing in on a brand he barely knows.”
In an era of influencer fatigue and fake endorsements, Rice’s stance is being hailed as a refreshingly honest move — but one that cost him nearly a quarter of a billion dollars.
Reason #2: Human Rights Concerns in Tesla’s Global Supply Chain
Privately, Rice reportedly raised concerns about labor practices in Tesla’s global lithium supply chain, particularly in African nations where allegations of child labor and unsafe working conditions have persisted.
While Musk has publicly stated Tesla is working to ensure ethical sourcing, Rice wasn’t convinced.
“It’s hard to turn a blind eye when you see reports like that,” Rice allegedly told a friend. “You’ve got to draw the line somewhere.”
This statement, while not made publicly, has already made waves online, with many praising Rice for prioritizing conscience over cash.
Elon Musk Model 3 Photos Comment – Business Insider
Reason #3: Rice Didn’t Want to Be a “Tech Bro Trophy”
One of the more personal reasons cited: Rice didn’t want to be used as a celebrity prop in Musk’s carefully curated branding machine.
Tesla reportedly planned to pair Rice with a custom, limited-edition “Declan Edition” Model Y — complete with personalized interior, voice recognition themed around his career, and a scripted commercial where Rice would “evolve from pitch to planet-saving.”
“He thought the whole thing was cringe,” another insider revealed. “He doesn’t want to be the next crypto bro shilling cars on Instagram.”
Rice is said to have viewed the entire rollout as inauthentic and ego-driven, and felt that aligning with Tesla would distract from his career and public image.
Reason #4: Football First — Always
Perhaps the most relatable reason of all: Declan Rice simply wants to focus on football.
With England preparing for the 2026 World Cup and Arsenal chasing silverware in both the Premier League and Champions League, Rice reportedly said:
“This is the biggest period of my career. I can’t be flying to Shanghai, LA, or Berlin to shoot car ads. I owe everything to the pitch — not billboards.”
Elon Musk’s team reportedly tried to adjust the schedule, offering to film the ad campaign in London, but Rice remained firm. The result? Tesla quietly removed all mentions of Rice from promotional materials just days before the Shanghai launch.
Declan Rice shows what Arsenal have and what Chelsea don’t after creating £100m midfielder | The Independent
Musk Responds — Awkwardly
Elon Musk, known for being outspoken on social media, made only a cryptic tweet hours after news of the rejection broke:
“Some people value authenticity. Respect. ⚽”
But industry insiders say Musk was visibly caught off guard by Rice’s decision. Tesla had already invested millions into mockups and early branding material, with internal decks referring to the campaign as “The Rice Effect.”
Public Reaction: Respect, Memes, and That Model 3
Social media erupted once the news broke, with fans worldwide praising Rice for staying true to himself. Memes flooded Twitter and TikTok, with captions like:
“Declan turned down $244M and got a Model 3. That’s real captain behavior.”
“Elon gave him a Hot Wheels for saying no ”
Meanwhile, football fans applauded Rice’s focus:
“We need more athletes who think before they brand. Respect to Declan,” one user wrote.
Final Thought
Elon Musk tiết lộ những hình ảnh của chiếc xe điện Tesla Model 3 đầu tiên rời dây chuyền sản xuất
Declan Rice may have walked away from one of the biggest deals in sports endorsement history, but in doing so, he sent a powerful message: integrity isn’t for sale. While many in the industry might see $244 million as life-changing, Rice sees purpose, focus, and authenticity as priceless.
And that’s worth more than any Model Y, “Declan Edition” or not.