| Authored by Andrew Perna - 8th June, 2009 - 9:14 am
 We all know that small decisions often have large ramifications. An avalanche begins with a microscopic crack in a block of ice. A single rain drop can kick off a flood. Even a tiny piece of, let's call it DNA, can grow into a unique human being.
The NFL may have significantly altered it's future with a single, almost insignificant decision earlier this year.
The league decided to allow teams to sell sponsorship patches on their practice jerseys. MSN's Darren Rovell wrote last week that a few teams could actually be close to agreements, a move that could lead to bigger, but not necessarily better, deals in the future.
Due to the lack of an established market, the price for a few-inch patch on an NFL practice jersey isn't yet known. However, it's pretty much a guarantee that some company is going to bite the bullet and break into the industry on the ground floor.
There appears to be less restrictions on this type of advertisement, but the NFL will not allow clubs to sell advertising space to alcohol brands.
That restriction is a strange one, considering the wealth of beer ads one views on an average NFL Sunday. I don't make my beverage choices based on the few seconds of commercials I see between plays -- I often switch to another game -- but if I did, I'd have at least a half-dozen to choose from.
If the NFL is looking to keep their involvement with alcohol minimal in the eye of children (and underage drinkers in general) perhaps they should be limiting beer ads on television, and not worry about the visibility of patches promoting Miller Lite and Budweiser on practice attire.
I understand that football is a business, and every business should attempt to squeeze every dollar they can out of their brand, but in my opinion this is the start of something no football fan (purist or casual) wants to see.
There is no doubt that a team is soon going to sell some space on their practice uniforms. And who says, that a couple of years down the line, the NFL isn't going to allow a similar practice on game-day apparel?
Don't laugh. It's already become a reality in the WNBA; a move that could further prevent mainstream basketball fans from becoming involved with the middling league.
As scary as it would be to see Eli Manning line up behind center in a blue-and-white jersey with "Panera Bread" over his No. 10, just imagine what such agreements could do to the league's competitive balance?
Football enjoys more parity than basketball, baseball and hockey, but there are a number of teams that contend every year and a majority play in sizable markets.
Who do you think is going to add more to their revenue stream via jersey sponsorship?
It's not going to be small-market clubs like the Bengals or the Bills. It'll be the high-profile Cowboys or large-market teams like the Giants or Jets.
At this point, with sponsorship only allowed for practice jerseys, there isn't serious money to be made, but everything starts somewhere.
Assuming the economy rebounds within the next few years, don't be surprised if you see some strange names plastered across the chests of a few NFL linebackers.
Instead of seeing Eagles across Donovan McNabb's jersey, you might see American Eagle.
Don't laugh; it's close to becoming a reality.
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM’s Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
