NBA to allow corporate logos on uniforms?

[bulldogbarks55]

No major league sport that plays in North America should EVER put those cheap-a** logos on their uniforms. Every time I see pictures of European hockey, basketball and soccer teams I cringe. They look downright hideous! And while I'm at it, minor pro hockey (AHL, CHL, ECHL, UHL) should also s**tcan their practice of putting small corporate sponsor logos on the front shoulder of their jerseys.

The small manufacturers logos on the sleeve, hem, back-of-cap, etc. are somewhat annoying, but are at least tasteful and don't affect the overall look of the uniform. Pity the day our leagues go the European walking-skating-running billboard route. Is some more money THAT important?

[Plaid Paint]

Why do people believe teams and leagues owe them something?

Not to say I disagree with you. But I wager people think they are "owed" something because it's our 9-5in' making them rich the last 20 years for playing a game.

That is so not true, even 20 years ago. The various teams make their money from the tv rights and merchandising. They make almost no money from ticket sales.

[slapshot]

Maybe the reason that the European and minor North American leagues have sponsors on the uniforms is to generate revenue to keep the leagues afloat. Aside from soccer, I think most leagues don't get the money that the leagues over here do. Anything to put money back into the teams is a good thing, right?

[omnivore]

I don't think there would be a huge outcry if teams in America had corporate sponsors like they do in Europe. But since our teams didn't start the same way theirs did, that's probably why there is resistance to it.

But I think if advertising can be sold being hidden in computer programs, that surely some companies would pay for advertising for teams on the field, somewhere on the uniform - or even better - in the name.

And I think so long as it's done tastefully, it would be fine.

[knox]

I keep hearing people say stuff along the lines of "if it's done tastefully"...the problem is that it won't. Ever. That's how advertisements work.

It's bad enough the leagues plaster their logos all over everything, we don't need random corporations to start doing it too...

[ClutchIsEverything]

Honestly? I don't mind. It is just a logo on a jersey. Whats so bad about having a business on a jersey, I advertise for a business when I wear a shirt of my favorite team/college.

I find logos behind the backstop of baseball games much more obtrusive. I'd rather get rid of those than protect a three inch by three inch patch of jersey.

It always seems the NBA is the trend setter too. NBA was the first to have camera/mics on the bench in the huddle. Now we got managers doing interviews from the dugout. They were the first to start their own network and then relaunched in all HD. Remember the NBA playing around with the cable cam? How many years later we have the sky cam thats freaking awesome. I think those are right who believe we will see ads on most jerseys in the years to come.

[knox]

The best thing about my season tickets at Wrigley Field is that they're down the first base line, so I don't have to see that monstrosity of an ad board.

[Big Africa]

Bad idea.

I voted for the last choice btw.

[BBTV]

I hate the idea of paying money to advertise someone's product.

Yes, I realize that technically wearing a jersey is a form of advertising, but that's different. Miller Lite should pay me if I'm going to be a billboard for them.

That's why I don't wear shirts that say "POLO" or "HILFIGER" really big accross them. There's no reason for it.

So you've never worn Nikes/Reeboks/Adidas/Converse/Puma/New Balance/Asics/LA Gear or any basketball sneakers, right?

Please.

You're a hypocrite.

Like someone else said, the logos on sneakers are pretty hard to avoid, and since I only wear sneakers / spikes when I'm actually doing something athletic, it doesn't bother me that much. Besides, anymore, those logos (swoosh's, tripple-stripe, etc.) are more part of the design than just a slapped-on afterthought logo. I try to avoid being a billboard as much as it is practical to do so.

IMO clothing like this is rediculous, and is the equivilant of buying a jersey with someone's ad plastered on it.

ALso, you don't know me, please don't call me a hypocrite.

[redsfan39]

just look at the nfl europe unis- they have the ads just thrown on and it looks like crap

[Sterling84]

That is so not true, even 20 years ago. The various teams make their money from the tv rights and merchandising. They make almost no money from ticket sales.

What? What difference does that make? Not that I agree with the framing of the statement anyway. They make "almost" no money off ticket sales? Even the most pathetic of teams who don't sell out like our Brewers are sure to bring in half a million per game in tickets and food alone. Most healthy teams probably twice that easy.......81 times a year. Do the math.

YOu said they make their money off merchandising? WHo do you think buys that? Same 9-5er that buys the tickets. Who pays for ESPN to watch games? Same guy.

Are you contending that it wasn't/isn't the average American ball fan and his family that made owners and players rich with their constant support? Or are you bustin' my chops on semantics? If the last 20 years has been more about corporate box suites and huge TV deals, then the average fan shouldered the weight the 100 years before THAT....to grow it into a property WORTH selling on television.

[CubsFanBudMan]

The article posted suggests that replicas would have ads, too, since Eazy-E said: "Not only would the players be billboards, but the fans would be, too."

I'm not going to be a billboard. He thinks we're sheep.

I'll promote what I want to promote, and yes, I bought the special memorial patches to make my Cubs home jersey a truly authentic 1998 version, but ads are different. I accept the Majestic/Rawlings/Russell logo. No big deal. But they seem to suggest bringing the minor-league approach to the majors. For the CBA and Arena Football and UHL, AHL, etc., it's fine, but the majors don't need to do that.

I remember when major league walls were ad-free and the minors' walls were basically billboards patched together, basically lookied like my Little League field wall times 10. Then, "Gap" started appearing in the, well, gaps, and that seemed cute. Now, instead of cookie-cutter stadiums with every team's logo on the wall, teams like the Marlins have their formerly teal wall covered from pole to pole with Miccosukee Casino and other ads. What once was 'untouchable' no longer is, and I fear the uniform will soon join that list.

[lost_limey]

It happened to European Soccer jerseys and the fans don't mind.

[DEAD!]

I remember when major league walls were ad-free and the minors' walls were basically billboards patched together, basically lookied like my Little League field wall times 10. Then, "Gap" started appearing in the, well, gaps, and that seemed cute. Now, instead of cookie-cutter stadiums with every team's logo on the wall, teams like the Marlins have their formerly teal wall covered from pole to pole with Miccosukee Casino and other ads. What once was 'untouchable' no longer is, and I fear the uniform will soon join that list.

But way before that, there were ads on the wall, lots of them I believe. The Green Monster was not always green.

Change is inevitable. There will one day be these type of advertisements on major North American professional jerseys. Nothing is "sacred" in today's pro sport market. If it turns out that fans will be turned off the these ads and revenue drops as a result, then the leagues would think twice about it and remove those patches.

Come to think of it, the team's logo is a type of advertisement. no?

[Plaid Paint]

That is so not true, even 20 years ago. The various teams make their money from the tv rights and merchandising. They make almost no money from ticket sales.

What? What difference does that make? Not that I agree with the framing of the statement anyway. They make "almost" no money off ticket sales? Even the most pathetic of teams who don't sell out like our Brewers are sure to bring in half a million per game in tickets and food alone. Most healthy teams probably twice that easy.......81 times a year. Do the math.

YOu said they make their money off merchandising? WHo do you think buys that? Same 9-5er that buys the tickets. Who pays for ESPN to watch games? Same guy.

Are you contending that it wasn't/isn't the average American ball fan and his family that made owners and players rich with their constant support? Or are you bustin' my chops on semantics? If the last 20 years has been more about corporate box suites and huge TV deals, then the average fan shouldered the weight the 100 years before THAT....to grow it into a property WORTH selling on television.

How convienient of you to leave out the fact that teams have to pay vendors as well as every single person working at a concession stand/souvenier stand, not to mention various other personel who work at the stadiums, so they are hardly clearing $500,000 a game "easy."

[DEAD!]

Most teams easily make more than $500 000 a game easily. Even with all those workers, and overhead costs you don't end up spending a lot of your revenue. Also consider that some fans in the cheap seats pay more in concessions and parking than on the ticket. You also have to figure in the luxury suite revenue which is a significant source of revenue.

[buzzcut]

ESPN Radio is holding a poll right now over this issue and right now 72% say that the NBA should "Just Shut Up!" over this issue.

Vote Here

[DEAD!]

ESPN Radio is holding a poll right now over this issue and right now 72% say that the NBA should "Just Shut Up!" over this issue.

Vote Here

.... and at same time they would like some of the people working the mic at ESPN Radio to "Just Shut Up!"

[Bleujayone]

.............

"But imagine the possibilites in North America. Had Labatt's still owned the Blue Jays, they would be known as the "Labatt Blue" Jays. Perhaps we could have the Anaheim "Hell's Angels", or the Denver Golden Nuggets"

.............

It would never be with just a small 3'' patch on the shoulder or something, cororate sponsors would take it to the absolute extreme, which is why I'm only half joking about the following ideas....

The McDonald's Denver Chicken McNuggets (so what changes?)

The Orlando SeaWorld Dolphins of Miami (thank you Anahiem)

The Miller Brewers Company Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Don't even have to change the name)

Harley-Davidson presents the Oakland Raiders (the fans already do)

The New York Metropolitan Life Baseball (match made in heaven)

Sam Adams-New England Patriots (historic AND corporate)

Velveeta Snackers Packers (didn't these guys originally go by the ACME Packers?)

Interstate Lottery Milwaukee Mega-Bucks (because the Powerballs is too suggestive)

Six Flags Over Dallas Cowboys (score a touchdown- free tix on the rollercoaster)

Mohegan Sun Casino Basketball (oh wait, we already have that!)

Pittsburgh Steel (easiset transition)

Ford Motors Detroit 2006 Mustangs Cobras (or whatever model they're pushing)

Star Wars Episode VII: The Search For More Money Rated: PG In Theatres May 19th 20th Century Fox Los Angeles Dodgers (don't laugh, I know of a Euro soccer team that was advertising "Hitch" on their jerseys)

The Pfiser Viagra Yankees (Insert own joke here, besides the only way they could make their NASCAR sposorship better is if they sponsored Dick Trickle )

The Jive Records Britney Spears: Craptastic Utah Jazz (Oops, the Jazz lose it again)

Tim Horton's Tim-bits Maple Sugar Leafs (They're puckin' great!)

The Harvey's Calgary Stampeder Burgers (the losers become the winning taste)

Bad enough the stadium, the sidelines and in some cases even the play field itself has become a billboard, but its going to be a very dark day when the players become a walking talking advertising to the point where it will be impossible to ignore it. Sports does not need sponsorship of this magnitude to survive- they are richer than most of us can dream. The fact has already been mentioned here; greed. This day will come, in some places its already here.

[hormone]

Sponsors on jerseys doesn't belong. It's so tacky. They already got the names of stadiums, events, and all over the stadiums. Isn't anything sacred anymore? Nothing is lame as you'll see minor league hockey or something with a huge sponsor's logo on the sleeve and it's even worse when the sponsors colors are nothing of what the team wears.