View Full Version : Sponsorships on the front of MLS jerseys
brinobyrne
28 Jun 2005, 03:15 PM
Can anyone tell me why MLS hasn't adopted this custom yet? It's a simple way to generate more revenue for the clubs and league. Plus I'm willing to argue that many people think that sponsored jerseys would look even better than the ones they have now. Personally I think that the LA galaxy jersey could be the ugliest soccer jersey I've ever seen, in any league. With the big GALAXY spelt out on the front it seems more like a hockey jersey than a soccer jersey.
In a league that could stand to make more $$ any way it can why has the commissioner been so stubborn about this? I know it isn't the "american" thing to do but take a look at NASCAR. Those fans don't seem to have a problem with it. Soccer sponsorships are even less instrusive to fans than NASCAR sponsorships, which are painted all over the car and driver's suit.
With ticket sales not where the MLS wants them to be, why not bring in some extra revenue by allowing sponsors on the fronts of jerseys?
wufc
28 Jun 2005, 03:18 PM
Many teams have ads on the back of jerseys. The question is how much more money would sponsors be willing to pay to move the ad from the back to the front? If it's too little, then it's just not worth it. And if the ads were in the front, would sponsors let teams tinker with the ad? Budweiser lets River Plate have the ad be unobstructive (just black letters without a background) but the Galaxy Bud ad REALLY pops out (the full red box logo).
Personally, I really don't like those ugly logos that MLS teams have. But rather than sponsors, I'd rather have the fronts blank (like the old yellow Crew jersey or the 3rd Fire jersey). Another point though, MLS teams sell almost no jerseys, so ads will not hurt jersey sales at all.
UVA-United
28 Jun 2005, 03:22 PM
I believe they would be more traditional on the front, but at this juncture, they are not going to generate the revenues they generate across the pond or even any more than they do now. Yes they may receive more direct exposure but they will not increase the money brought in from sponsors.
Sponsors are signing with MLS and then a team is given one to place on their jerseys. If the clubs had more autonomy they could perhaps get some more money or see more local people willing to put their company on them and thus give every team in the league a shirt sponsor. However, MLS feels that would undercut its own efforts to grab these sponsors to other deals (TV, sign boards, etc).
The kits have come a long way since 1996 and the removal of team names from the front will help in that final move. Sponsors will not be taking those places anytime soon though because few companies would be willing to retool their logo to blend with a team's color scheme (Case-in-point: DC United and Sierra Mist).
Keep a look out as this could change over time, but for right now they are not going to move from back to front as they won't earn greater sums of money.
brinobyrne
28 Jun 2005, 03:28 PM
I would think that MLS teams could charge more $$ by having the sponsors on the front. Where they are now they are very hard to read for somebody watching on TV. Like you said, on the front they would get more exposure thus upping the $$. Instead of having jersey sponsors undercut their other efforts I think they could package it along with TV, Radio, etc..
I agree that they definitely would not make as much $$ as they do in other parts of the world but I think it would help to some extent.
Sachin
28 Jun 2005, 03:33 PM
1. There are lots of threads on this topic. Read before you post.
2. How do you charge for something when no one is willing to pay for it.
For example, I'm charging you $100 to post on BigSoccer. Are you willing to pay?
Sachin
brinobyrne
28 Jun 2005, 03:40 PM
I took a quick glance and didn't see anything regarding this topic. My bad.
If sponsors are willing to pay for a small rectangle on the backs of jerseys I think teams could find companies willing to pay a bit more for the front.
I guess what I really want to know is has MLS even explored this option or has it just been written off because they don't think it would ever work?
cosmojado
28 Jun 2005, 03:41 PM
The kits have come a long way since 1996 and the removal of team names from the front will help in that final move. Sponsors will not be taking those places anytime soon though because few companies would be willing to retool their logo to blend with a team's color scheme (Case-in-point: DC United and Sierra Mist).
yeah but that adidas ad on the front of the DC kit seems to fit well
FireFanInPackerLand
28 Jun 2005, 03:45 PM
WTF? Does every newbie who signs up on this board do so with the sole purpose of starting a thread on why MLS teams don't put ads on the front of their jerseys?
brinobyrne
28 Jun 2005, 03:48 PM
Nah, I just figured I could get a good perspective from somebody who posts on these boards since when I talk about it with other people they can't give me an answer.
Let's go easy on the newbie.
the major reason...
1) They are trying to build brand recognition for the teams themselves.
Welcome to Big Soccer.
Sachin
28 Jun 2005, 03:49 PM
What you think and what's been proven in the real world are different things in this case.
But to answer your other question: I don't believe MLS has considered it, and with good reason. I rarely watch European soccer. To this day, I can only identify teams by their sponsors (i.e. vodaphone taking on O2). MLS needs to get fans to identify with the team, not with a sponsor. "Welcome to Sierra Mist taking on the US Soccer Foundation!"
I bet if you ask most fans in Europe or anywhere else, they'd gladly get rid of the advertising if it didn't mean their club failing.
Sachin
brinobyrne
28 Jun 2005, 03:51 PM
Thanks. I had a feeling that was the main reason, although I definitely disagree with it.
Ese_Guy
28 Jun 2005, 03:56 PM
I wouldn't necessarily call advertising on jerseys traditional, but yes most teams in other leagues do, do this.
I personally like that the jersey is "clean." The back has advertisement but it looks good - it's tasteful.
Anyhow, there's a fee for this forum as well. If you pay, you get to use an avatar, etc. Many choose not to pay.
crewcrazy17
28 Jun 2005, 04:06 PM
WTF? Does every newbie who signs up on this board do so with the sole purpose of starting a thread on why MLS teams don't put ads on the front of their jerseys?
Some sign up to ask about promotion and relgation.
ElJefe
28 Jun 2005, 04:10 PM
I'd rather that my team sell the naming rights to its stadium than put a cheesy ad on the front of its shirt.
regulator
28 Jun 2005, 04:23 PM
I'd rather that my team sell the naming rights to its stadium than put a cheesy ad on the front of its shirt.
can it be pepperoni and cheesy?
sorry for that one. it sounded funnier in my head
ElJefe
28 Jun 2005, 04:33 PM
can it be pepperoni and cheesy?
sorry for that one. it sounded funnier in my head
You get rep for the effort.
BBBulldog
28 Jun 2005, 04:34 PM
better on front of jersey than on fence where banners go :D
Anthony W
28 Jun 2005, 05:30 PM
We should set up a permanent thread that says "All newbies and foreigners go here first" This thread will then tell them all about....
promotion and relegation.
Sponsorships on the front of jerseys.
Why there isn't any single table.
That there is no US media conspiracy against soccer.
Yes, we know that the foreign announcers are better.
DavidP
28 Jun 2005, 05:56 PM
What you think and what's been proven in the real world are different things in this case.
But to answer your other question: I don't believe MLS has considered it, and with good reason. I rarely watch European soccer. To this day, I can only identify teams by their sponsors (i.e. vodaphone taking on O2). MLS needs to get fans to identify with the team, not with a sponsor. "Welcome to Sierra Mist taking on the US Soccer Foundation!"
I bet if you ask most fans in Europe or anywhere else, they'd gladly get rid of the advertising if it didn't mean their club failing.
Sachin
The first time I saw sponsors on jersey fronts was on the old "Soccer Made in Germany," back around 1978-79. I first game I remember seeing it was Borussia Moenchengladbach v. FC Cologne (I think). I thought it was Erdgas v. Hitachi (Natural Gas v. Stereos). As an aside, who remembers who the first American team was to have a sponsor on their jersey, and who was the sponsor? You don't win anything, but you'll be a hit with the chicks (unless you're a dork like me :D).