Ok, I know many of you would laugh at this idea, but I was just curious why networks in the United States (due to tv companies problem with soccer) dont put in commercials when the trainer enters the field. If ESPN/Fox/ABC started a commercial as soon as a trainer entered the field, they would have at least time for one commercial. On top of that, noone is going to leave their chairs because they know the game will resume soon and there is not enough time to get up and do something without missing the action. This way, More revenue could be made by selling this extra 'commercial' space. Thus, you could also create 15 second commercials like they have in Europe just to flash the product on the screen. The only thing the fans would miss is the stupid commentary by the announcers on watching the replay of the foul, time and time again. It is only an idea for the United States since people are always looking to find the sport more acceptable to advertisers. This way, you would not change the game (like creating quarters instead of halfs), you would merely just be helping US companies find more ad space in games. there are lots of logistics, feel free to help me out or just laugh at me. I just got home from celebrating the crew win, but was so upset at ESPN cuz i missed some of th game. i know its not their fault, but when you are sitting with friends for one purpose you really have to rally around aiming your dismay somewhere. Ok, im going to bed, but i hope to wake up to positive reviews about my new formula for success since i know lots of soccer execs come on these boards. haha we're first place! greg
I hope not. There shouldn't be any commercials during a soccer game, except for halftime. There are enough ads surrounding the field, around the goals, and on players jerseys. During the time that a player is receiving treatment, or getting carted off the pitch, I like to see the replays of the foul. After they show the replay for like 3 or 4 times and there is still time, they should show a close up shot of some of the spectators, who after all pay money to be at the game. It would also be nice if they showed some of those players girlfriends or wives in the stands.
Once you start commercials during the run of play, then there will be degradation of the game for tv timeouts. Just take a look at the NBA and NFL games. One of the beauties of soccer is the non-stop flow of play/action/activity, except for halftime. And how much $$$ will advertisers pay for a 30 second commercial in the midst of play. Second of all, they will get all the fans pi**ed at their product for causing an interruption of the game.
I'm not wholly against the idea, it's actually not a bad thought. They did the same thing for ice hockey during the Olympics, cut away for a commercial (at least NBC did) when there was a stop in play. Of course, the IIHL enforces a strict time limit in which play must be restarted, but MLS can do the same thing. FSW and Telemundo (I think) have on-screen spots during the game, and I don't think some advertisers know that kind of thing exists.
I don't really like the idea of a full on commercial, but I don't see why they couldn't do something like they do during Hockey Night in Canada on CBC. They pop up a short little animated full screen ad for a major sponsor like Canadian Tire. It takes like five seconds during a face-off or something and you almost don't notice it. If this was done when there's an injury or something, it wouldn't be terrible because it's only slightly more annoying than "this segment of the game is brought to you commercial-free by..."
Back in the day, didn't they have NASL players fake an injury and stay down for a bit to get a commercial in (on CBS or something)? Or is that just an urban legend? I don't remember that specifically. The few memories I have of the NASL on TV (at least nationally - the Rowdies were on a lot in Tampa) are a couple of Soccer Bowls, including the one where the sideline person asked Rodney Marsh (who had just been taken out of the last game he ever played because of a leg infection) if he would be going back into the match. Rodney politely told him once you're out, you're out.
Who says they have to cut away from the action to run a commercial? Anyone who ever listens to talk radio knows that the announcer has his favorite car dealer, the window replacement guy that made his house a home, the laser eye surgeon who changed his life and the furniture store he just can't stop visiting. They can do commercials without doing "commercials."
I dont understand this post. How do you figure that I would mean to interrupt the run of play. In Europe, they have a green card from the referee to let the medical staff of the game into the field. If you could do some kind of advertising during this time, then you would create several spots during a game which you could see to advertisers which means more money. Whether its ten or 10 thousand dollars, you still get more than you started with. I also am not advocating that this would be a good idea in general. However, since our current TV deal reaps us no money, then maybe we should offer networks in this country other opportunities to lure potential advertisers. Sure it would be annoying, sure it might get old, but at least it may help ESPN switch over to soccer in some regional markets rather than watching Womens tennis for the first third of a game. Either way, thanks for all input and i would hope to hear some more thoughts. greg
in italy they have little mini commericials, like seriously 5 or 10 seconds long whenever the ball goes long out of bounds and it takes a few seconds to retrieve it, or when a player is fouled and the ref is carding someone and/or the play is stopped for a second or two for the guy to shake off a knock. I never had a problem with that, and it doesnt take away from the match at all. Like I said the "commercials" are at most 10 seconds long and you never ever miss a second of live action. I think that would work well in MLS, much better than the little ad logo thing in the top corner taking up half the damn screen
I think the idea could work, even if it would be a bit annoying. The key thing, which might have been misunderstood by a few, is that the game isn't being deliberately stopped to allow the comercial and there'd be no 'signal' from the TV producer telling them they can re-start again. It would just be a judgement call from the TV director that there'd be unlikely to be any action for the next minute or so while the player is getting treatment, so time to switch to a commerical. Similar in many ways to how TV directors covering motorsports have to choose their moments for going to ad breaks, but with less margin for error.