The NBA Board of Governors has agreed to increase the use of instant replay and allow sponsorships on team jerseys. The former is just common sense; if you have the tech to get calls right then it should be used (see tennis, for example). The latter is a polarizing issue. Many people love that uniforms in major American sports are free of advertising (aside from the garment manufacturer). It seems traditional and pure. Capitalists have long wondered why American sports have ignored this lucrative revenue stream while several football teams in Europe took in millions from sponsors. According to ESPN, NBA team jerseys will be allowed to have small advertising patches starting in the 2013-2014 season.
As a sports fan, I don’t like the move. I love the (mostly) unsullied uniforms in (most) American sports. My big fear is that the NBA’s move towards sponsored uniforms will pave the way for future New York Yankees players looking like NASCAR drivers. I honestly have this nightmare.
As a gamer, I can’t wait for an NBA team that’s sponsored by a videogame publisher. I loved the Manchester City kits that were sponsored by Eidos and the Arsenal kits with the Dreamcast logo. If an NBA team had a Square-Enix patch on its jerseys then I would be forced to become a fan of that franchise.
What do you think of NBA jerseys getting sponsorship patches? Hot or not? Please use the comments system to match up your favorite videogame company with an appropriate NBA team.
I don't like it. I'm already annoyed when watching college football and an ad is shown on the field pre-snap. Having guys run around in uniforms with ads will actually cheapen the merchandise and experience for me.
What if your Hornets were sponsored by Apple?
I'd still hate it. I actually dislike stadiums named after sponsors as well.I really dont want to hear a post game interview where a player has to say goo things about the sponsors either.Sent from a device with horrible AT&T service.
Blame the Lakers for that one. I believe The Great Western Forum (formerly The Fabulous Forum) was the first corporately sponsored sports arena.
Speaking of the Hornets, that Anthony Davis kid is looking like a serious superstar.
The future looks bright if Rivers can pan out and Gordon doesn't become the next Baron Davis.
I used to get annoyed when playing FIFA on the PS2 and not seeing the Dreamcast logo on the Arsenal shirts. It wasn't authentic to me.
That being said, I hate this idea. But I more or less hate the NBA these days anyway.
What if Iceman's Heat were sponsored by a fertilizer company?
Oooooo…..now you're just toying we me.
The entire NBA should be sponsored by Trojan Condoms.
Might as well have a Maury Povich halftime show as well.