Creative revenue generation or selling out?

[Bob Slydell]

Chicago White Sox Games to Now Start at 7:11

Personally, I think it's and can't imagine this will do anything to increase 7-11's sales, but I guess they've run out of things to sponsor.

 

[Pam]

Personally, I think it's and can't imagine this will do anything to increase 7-11's sales, but I guess they've run out of things to sponsor.

Why don't they [Seven-Eleven] just stick to print advertising and also lower their overinflated prices?

Stupid idea. I'm sure the thousands of fans sitting in the stadium, as well as those watching the game on TV will remember to dash out to Seven-Eleven as soon as the game's over.

 

[cardaway]

Sports jumped the shark when they first started allowing businesses to sponsor parts of the game beyond the commercials.

The one thing I like about soccer (the other football) and racing is they have totally sold out and turned it into a benefit for the fans. Fewer time outs, less commercials, and more of what makes the sport great.

 

[Hillbeans]

It's kind of a shame how sports (and everything else for that matter) all revolve around advertising. While I understand that these companies pay big bucks, I think it's unfair to subject everyone to it when you're already paying a fortune for seats to the game (as well as the cost of your satellite or cable).

 

[Bob Slydell]

The one thing I like about soccer (the other football) and racing is they have totally sold out and turned it into a benefit for the fans. Fewer time outs, less commercials, and more of what makes the sport great.

Good point. There's something to be said for dropping any pretense that sports isn't a business.

That being said, are we heading towards a point where the major sports (at least in the US) become more like soccer or auto racing. In other words, how long before football jersey, baseball uniforms and the like include advertising right across the middle of them?

 

[RadioNate]

Good point. There's something to be said for dropping any pretense that sports isn't a business.

That being said, are we heading towards a point where the major sports (at least in the US) become more like soccer or auto racing. In other words, how long before football jersey, baseball uniforms and the like include advertising right across the middle of them?

Well in a way they already do. Nike swoosh? Sure it isn't huge but it is there.

Unfortunately ticket prices even at several hunderd $$ a pop and TV deals alone don't begin to cover professional sports franchise expenses. In many sports (NBA, MLB and NHL) the A-list teams are also supporting the development teams financially.

 

[nuke]

I think it's a never ending circle. Players are paid too much money, spectators pay too much to see the games, the public worships the players making them ask for more money.

I don't think there is one spec of Sox park that isn't covered in advertising. (I refuse to call it by the advertising name)

 

[Bob Slydell]

Well in a way they already do. Nike swoosh? Sure it isn't huge but it is there.

Yeah, I thought about that, which is why I carefully phrased the question. I understand that most, if not all, pro (and major college) sports teams are sponsored by one of the shoe companies, but at least it's subtle. There's nothing subtle about the advertising on a race car or soccer jersey.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think they should decorate the bases to make them look liks Dominoe's pizza boxes. Maybe embroider a toilet paper ad on the umpire's padding, stick a Beano sticker to the player's rear-ends - or maybe feminine hygiene products, since that is where all the women are looking, anyway.

No, it is getting ridiculous. (Many) Professional sports are not for families anymore. The only people who can afford to go are those who know someone who knows someone who works somewhere and can get tickets. It's about the sport, not the fan.

Denae

 

[bicker]

It's kind of a shame how sports (and everything else for that matter) all revolve around advertising. While I understand that these companies pay big bucks, I think it's unfair to subject everyone to it when you're already paying a fortune for seats to the game (as well as the cost of your satellite or cable).

Sports teams are businesses, not public services provided by the government. Anything legal they do to better support achieving the team's objectives (which, if you check, often includes "generate profit") is a completely fair. Folks attending the game have the option to either accept the offering the team makes them as they make it, including the commercialism, or reject the offering and eschew attending the game.

 

[bicker]

I think it's a never ending circle. Players are paid too much money, spectators pay too much to see the games, the public worships the players making them ask for more money.

If you track the "problem" backwards, you find that the root of the "problem" is what you suggest here: The public worships players. Any blame for how things are can be laid at the feet of the general public who unilaterally determines what is and isn't valuable to them.