A while back, we did a podcast about whether the NFL might someday sell corporate sponsorship on its jerseys, the way soccer clubs around the world do, and even Major League Soccer clubs in the U.S.
Before jumping in, the NFL should probably consider the possibility that foreign sponsors might want to get hold of their real estate. And this might lead to some language issues. Consider the case of the MLS team the Philadelphia Union, which just landed a sponsorship deal with the Mexican food giant Grupo Bimbo. Next season, the Union players will sport the company’s name on their chests — but not the “Grupo” part, just the “Bimbo.” (Via Mi Blog es tu blog; HT: Collin Campbell)
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A few corrections…
1. Bimbo is pronounced “beem-bo”, and the company is getting ready launch in the U.S.
2. Bimbo just opened a massive bakery plant in Central PA, hence the desire to work with the Union.
3. Reebok doesn’t make the MLS jerseys, Adidas does.
4. The reason Soccer/Football teams use jersey sponsors is because they don’t have things like TV timeouts and the such to generate revenue. In the case of the MLS, jersey sponsors are going to help keep the new league solvent.
I give the NFL 5 years and you will see sponsors on their jerseys.
In one of those reverse psychology/contrarian appeal things, I can see the Union’s women jersey’s becoming very popular.
It makes sense why soccer uniforms advertise. It’ll never happen in football though. The fan reaction would be unanimously, vehemently negative. Besides there’s no justification for even MORE ads in an NFL game. I could maybe see an ad or two painted onto the field near the sidelines, as in hockey. But even that’s doubtful because again, no need with all the TV timeouts. Hockey is more like soccer in that there aren’t many natural pauses.
@ Graham – Reebok logos are all over NFL uniforms, not MLS.
Sponsorship has long been a part to the NFL. the Green Bay Packers are named because Curly Lambeau solicited $500 for uniforms and equipment and received the funds in exchange for naming the team after his employer the Indian Packing company.
As a California native now living in Australia, I well up with a bit of pride at the fact that the major American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB) don’t have obvious advertising on the logos. The National Rugby League, Australian Football League, and the A-League (soccer) here all have multiple, huge ads emblazoned on the uniforms…and it just smacks of the tackiness of Nascar. I hope the NFL (and others) will continue to rely on the current forms of sponsorship and keep the uniforms looking clean and crisp.
@5
I’m guessing the main reason they are putting Bimbo and not one of their other brands on the jersey is that Mexicans watch more MLS then Americans. The MLS is actually pretty popular in Mexico, from what I understand.