Teddy V & Nike

[Kansas Ref]

I was recently told by a referee colleague of mine that the red and blue
"N F H S" logo that is stamped on the upper back of referee jerseys is no longer being done by referee shirt sellers. You cannot get this logo put on the back of your ref shirts anymore-- apparently there were licensing issues--this is what a Ref colleague told me.

But this whole issue brings to the fore a key issue: are we Officials considered to be "walking advertisements" ? Much like the jerseys of many sports that bear a private company logo (e.g., Roku, Fly Emirites, CBD Online) that is prominently placed on the uniform clothing article/jersey/pant--ergo making these players "walking billboards".

And, if this trend is taken to the taken to the most absurd extreme: our whistles, socks, pants, lanyards, and shirts could eventually bear some type of prominent company logo. As Officials, you all are in what I call a "uniquely visible status" on the court---so your clothing will be clearly seen by many people (fans, coaches, players, news highlights, etc...).

You might think "who cares what that ref is wearing [or advertising]" ; however, visual cues [ads] are definitely noticed. Would you take money to wear a private company logo on your ref attire? I would.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

I was recently told by a referee colleague of mine that the red and blue
"N F H S" logo that is stamped on the upper back of referee jerseys

None of my shirts has ever had such a logo

edited: I seem to recall that NFHS once sold / supplied shirts -- maybe these had the logo (like H on Honigs shirts or the S on Smitty's shirts).

[ilyazhito]

I have never seen it either. I have seen the state association logos, the IAABO roundel, and American flags show up on officiating shirts, but never the NFHS logo.

[BillyMac]

(Apologies to Prince)

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

... American flags show up on officiating shirts ...

Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. has an old officiating shirt with an American flag with only forty-six stars, from before New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii were states.

I think that he still wears it for scrimmages.

[so cal lurker]

I'm all for refs getting fairly compensated. But I don't at all like the idea of refs being able to cut deals to wear logos or advertising in games. Nike, addidas, etc., sponsor teams because they want to be associated with them--they want to be associated with WINNERS. If a Nike sponsored team is playing an addidas sponsored team, Nike wants "its" team to win, as that supports the profile it is trying to build by the millions it is paying the school. Having a ref on the court also being paid by Nike is, IMO, a really bad idea.

[bucky]

There has to be an obvious answer but.....

What is the difference between that and the giant Nike swoosh on his shoes? Aren't we all guilty of wearing company logo items on our feet? Why is that universally accepted but other apparel items are not. Is it because the NCAA is lenient with regards to shoes, whistles, and other small items that aren't really relevant? I'm surprised Smittys or Honigs or whoever have not had there own shoe brand so that the NCAA could mandate them and require refs to wear them so they fill their pockets more. Much like the shirts, pants, jackets, etc.

[ilyazhito]

Smitty does sell shoes. They have court shoes, plate umpire shoes, and field shoes, as of 2019.