So says Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush in the Rapids preview show that aired tonight. Obviously we don't know the context, but that seems to be a fairly significant milestone given how associated NASCAR is with sponsor loyalty.
I think the perception of "brand loyalty" among fans of NASCAR stems from the time when most sponsors were oil or beer. With drivers sponsored by dog food, energy drinks, and domain-hosting services these days, I'd say the days of sponsor loyalty are pretty much over. ------RM
perhaps years of BigSoccer coaching to always response "yes" when asked if you are more likely to purchase a product from a MLS/USSF sponsor has finally paid off. /has shamelessly purchased a box of Bimbo donuts in the past month...
I usually buy a can of Red Bull Cola when I go to matches, but that's about it for me. I don't have much use for the energy drink.
Ever since MLS signed their deal with Adidas..............I only wear Adidas shoes to work out in. It's my own personal "thank-you" to Adidas.
I support DC United and yet I eat Chipotle burritos because they sponsor the Colorado Rapids. And because they are tasty. Well, mostly because they are tasty ...
Chipotle is so painfully mediocre it makes me laugh to see it praised. Get out there and discover some real Mexican food people.
I think it's because America is such a hostile country towards the sport, those of us who do enjoy it seem to stick together. And that includes sponsors and such. I know a ton of people who only use products that sponsor the league or the clubs.
Red Bull is pretty much the only thing with caffeine that i drink, but that was the case before the take-over, so it has nothing to do with sponsorship. Yeah. I tend to buy Bimbo bread now. You're mediocre. Chipotle is the shit. I'm also (as you can tell from my screen name) rather infatuated with VW, butt hat had nothing to do with the sponsorship either. And, in fact, i cried a little when they were announced as DC's sponsor.
They've been an in-stadium sponsor for a couple of years now. It's also pretty much assumed that they were the company that almost signed up to be our jersey sponsor before the economy went to hell and they backed out, as well as dropping their other sports sponsorship (the Garmin pro bicycle racing team that's based out of Boulder).
It's also possible that it's just the price of success for NASCAR. They once occupied something of a 'sports ghetto' too, and their fans may have looked at the sponsors as partners in mainstreaming the sport. Now a generation has grown up with the sport being much more mainstreamed, and perhaps younger fans take for granted what older fans looked at as a righteous quest. Be that as it may, I'm not surprised MLS scored high on loyalty. The league does awfully well in the sponsorship category for one with a modest fan base, and the explanation that squares that circle has to involve both a desirable demographic (ie relatively young, higher income) and high loyalty.
Every team has local sponsors. This believe it or not is a good thread. Sponsors really do care if they are getting their investment back and more. I for one, have considered every MLS product sponsor. When I see an Amway ad on tv, i think "Hey that's MLS Sponsor Amway!" And with Chivas USA new beer sponsor, I'll have to drink on behalf of MLS
I would like to see 2 lists. 1. All sponsors, local and national, of MLS and US soccer. 2. All sponsors of the anti-soccer media.
I remember that there was a survey which asked MLS fans about the brands of different sponsors and if they knew if they were sponsors of the league. I actually think it may have covered many sports leagues but MLS was one. Anyone else remember this? Maybe someone can find that thread and dig up the old survey or I will try to find it later. Wonder if they have updated the survey and this is where he is getting his factoid from. Would love to see the results of the new survey.
I do eat at Pollo Campero which is a DC United sponsor. Of course the fact that it's less than a block from my work doesn't hurt.
You're a better man than I. I bought a can once, ugh, I couldn't even manage to choke it down,, I took two sips and (ashamed to say) dumped the rest. It tastes horrible in my opinion. If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose original RB.
i don't love Chipotle because I think it's authentic Mexican cuisine. I eat it because it tastes awesome. If I want authentic Mexican cuisine, I hit up the hole in the wall Taquerias....mmmm. Your comment would be like me telling someone that they are dumb for liking Carl's Jr (Hardees on the East coast) and to tell them to get out there and get a real burger. It is what it is. Back to sponsors. I think the big reason why NASCAR sees such a high turnover in sponsorship is the simple fact of how expensive it is to get on the hood of a NASCAR car. Then take into account that your brand is only gong to be seen if your racer is in the lead or challenging for the lead and you're talking about having your brand featured on TV for all of 30 seconds per race unless your driver is one of the best of the best. And there are plenty of drivers who don't even make it out of qualifying to the main race. I used to work at a company that wanted to get into NASCAR sponsorship. They weren't the main sponsor. They had a sticker above the rear wheel. That was something ridiculous like 50k per race. After 3 races and 150k to get that placement, the driver never even got past qualifying. Never made the main event. So my boss canceled to sponsorship. Based on conversations I had with the race team that seems to be pretty damn common. They are constantly looking for new sponsors because outside of the top drivers, there really isn't a whole lot of "face time" for any other brand that sponsors a NASCAR driver. In MLS, you are guaranteed that your brand will be seen and recognized for 90 straight minutes, uninterrupted.