An alarming trend is invading our shores. This trend is both tacky and stupendously profitable, always a dangerous combination.
Athletes are being transformed into human billboards in Major League Soccer. The Los Angeles Galaxy’s jerseys proclaim the wonders of Herbalife, a weight-loss company.
The jerseys became attractive ad space after the Galaxy signed international heartthrob David Beckham. Herbalife paid $20 million for five seasons.
The Galaxy isn’t alone. Toronto FC players advertise the Bank of Montreal, and Real Salt Lake players serve as billboards for XanGo, a dietary supplement.
This trend soon will pollute our state. The Colorado Rapids have placed their jersey fronts on the open market. Members of the Rapids should defend their dignity, but instead — and this is no shock — they look forward to sharing the cash.
Rapids midfielder Daniel Wasson, a former star at Liberty High School and Air Force Academy, is eager to advertise the merits of whatever company chooses the Rapids.
“I like the idea,” Wasson said. “It brings more money into the game. It’s good.”
No, it’s not.
Jersey advertising is ordinary on the international scene. Rugby players, cricket players, soccer players wear advertisements on their chest, backs and sleeves.
To read the full article, please visit The Gazzette
One Response
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What’s wrong with advertising the companies that pay the salaries of the players? Just because Barcelona held out until 2 years ago when they accepted UNICEF as a shirt sponsor doesn’t mean we should. There is NO money in pro soccer and thus our country’s interest in the sport overall will continually fall behind the big 4 sports. Our best players play overseas because they can be paid. England and Spain’s best players typically play in there homeland because their is money there. They also have the youth academy models that we in the US try to emulate. All these are tied together by population interest and m-o-n-e-y. Advertisements will help fuel our country’s interest in soccer if you connect all the dots.