Corporate sponsorship for schools - logos on uniforms?

[Mark Padgett]

In today's paper, there was an article about the NBA considering selling "space" on their player's uniforms to sponsors.

Here in Oregon, there are some state legislators who are considering introducing a bill that would allow school districts to sell corporate sponsorships for their athletic teams. The sponsors would then be able to have their logos on uniforms.

I'd like to hear a discussion by us on the pros and cons of this. Please note that here in Oregon, school funding is at "crisis" level and the state and school districts are considering almost anything to raise money.

Here are some of the points the lawmakers have under consideration:

1) If allowed, should the money be earmarked just for athletics?
2) Should each school district decide for itself, or should this be statewide with money being equally disbursed across the state?
3) Could sponsors pick and choose which sports to sponsor?

Some I have thought of include:

1) What would the reaction of the NF be to this and how much authority could they impose on a state law?
2) What happens if an Oregon team with a corporate logo plays in another state that doesn't allow them?
3) Would corporate logos on official's uniforms be next?

My local state rep is one of those involved in this and he is a good friend of mine, so he has asked me to give him some advice.

What do you guys think? Too commercial for high school, or should we "bite the bullet" because we need the money? Here in Oregon, we already sell vending machine space in schools to Coke, Pepsi, etc. and pipe in commercial cable news programs.

[Jurassic Referee]

Tell 'em to put their advertising on the warm-ups instead of the shirts. That's the easy way around the FED. Might be a way for teams that can't afford nice warm-ups to have them supplied free too.

Put advertising on the coach's backs too. Maybe a Viagra ad--"take a pill and become a bigger one".

[tjones1]

Around here, there are several schools that have a scorers table paid for by Hardess -- in return they have a big Ad on the front of the table. As far as the uniforms, I don't think they could be big enough to make a difference. Why not sell some ad space by the scoreboard. Everyone looks towards the scoreboard at least once during the game.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally posted by tjones1
Around here, there are several schools that have a scorers table paid for by Hardess -- in return they have a big Ad on the front of the table. As far as the uniforms, I don't think they could be big enough to make a difference. Why not sell some ad space by the scoreboard. Everyone looks towards the scoreboard at least once during the game.

A lot of schools already sell space around the scoreboards. Believe me, a Nike swoosh on uniforms here in Oregon would be noticed.

[tjones1]

Originally posted by Mark Padgett

A lot of schools already sell space around the scoreboards. Believe me, a Nike swoosh on uniforms here in Oregon would be noticed.

True, but I would guess the only way that would happen is if Nike were the official supplier of Oregon High School uniforms. Maybe not....???

[drothamel]

I don't have a problem with corporate sponsorship of high school athletics at all. It is a great revenue stream for the schools, and good PR for the companies. The best thing to do would be to open it up to each district individually. Doing this would serve two purposes: 1) Schools maintain their autonomy, because some localities won't like the idea. 2) It prevents a big copmany, like Nike, from monopolizing athletics in a whole state.

To me, the ideal thing would be to have these teams sponsored by local businesses, not the Nikes of the world. Plus, there isn't much incentive for the big corporations to get involved, with the exception of athletic companies, becuase the kids aren't on TV to the point where the advertising would pay off on a national scale.

School business sponsors usually get involved because they like to help the kids, not for the return on investment. Think of little leagues around the country with "XYZ Construction" or "Mom and Pop Grocery" on the back of jerseys. I imagine, or at least hope, that High School team sponsorship would be much the same.

As far was what to do with the money is concerned, I think it depends on who raises it. If it is going to be up to the athletic departments to raise it, then they deserve most, if not all of the proceeds. If the districts are going to be the ones doing the procuring, then divide the money as they see fit.

I like the idea, but I can also see it having a lot of problems. The potential problems is one reason to let each district decide how they would like to handle the situation. Maybe the politicians in Oregon will pass a bill that at least opens the possibility for districts to use corporate sponsorhip to raise funds.

At the high school in my county, there is a very good program that gets handed out at each game. The atheletic boosters have had much success selling ad space in it over the years. That is just another example of how corporate sponsorship can have benefits.

My guess is the the NFHS will go ballistic at the sight of corporate logos on jerseys. They will forbid those states from having members on the board of directors, etc. But in reality, does anyone really care? I mean, as evidenced on this board, states have always created their own rules and acted in what they feel are their own best interests with regard to athletics. I am sure life will go on, with or without the logos.

[Junker]

If I have to work a game that features a team wearing "Chico's Bail Bonds" on their uniform I'll have a hard time being unbiased. Seriously though, no way do I want to see corporate sponsorships in high school athletics. I just think it would open the door for more corruption of the spirit of high school student athletes.

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee
Tell 'em to put their advertising on the warm-ups instead of the shirts. That's the easy way around the FED. Might be a way for teams that can't afford nice warm-ups to have them supplied free too.

Put advertising on the coach's backs too. Maybe a Viagra ad--"take a pill and become a bigger one".

Or maybe Prep H?

"Soothes inflamed assh0les."

[rainmaker]

I'm totally opposed to logos on uniforms, including warm-ups. I'm opposed to anything that smacks of professional type arrangements. The local stuff around the scoreboard doesn't bother me. In some towns it provides a certain amount of entertainment. I'm still intrigued with the one that said, "Visit the Onion Festival!" and had dates. I spent several time-outs wondering if they have an Onion Queen, and a court of Chive Princesses. With maybe a Garlic Prince Consort? That kind of advertising I can live with.

[Dave Dow]

That is a good idea to sell the uniform ad space. At our school system we sold the back of chairs to companys so they could have their ad on the back of the chair, the extra left over went to the school athletic department. It was very easy to sell the ad spots and chairs.

[mick]

Originally posted by Dave Dow
That is a good idea to sell the uniform ad space. At our school system we sold the back of chairs to companys so they could have their ad on the back of the chair, the extra left over went to the school athletic department. It was very easy to sell the ad spots and chairs.

Our school?
Are you a ref or a fan?
mick

[mplagrow]

Originally posted by mick

Our school?
Are you a ref or a fan?
mick

Hey, not all of us are just refs. I'm a principal too! When I say 'our school,' I will make sure to qualify my remarks!

[theboys]

Unless a school is a powerhouse in a particular sport, I doubt someone like Nike would be interested in working with an individual school. Big sponsors would probably rather work district-wide.

An example of the exception:

We traveled to another part of the state for a Christmas tournament. The high school's gym has full stadium seating throughout, a high wood-beamed ceiling, with windows on all sides, and a professional-type scoreboard over the court. Before our first game we marveled at the facility with the coach. At first we thought the school was private, but the coach said no. We then commented on the money the city/county must have poured into the facility. He laughed. We then asked, doubtfully, if the booster club somehow came up with the money. Finally, he told us a large shoe manufacturer was the sugar daddy. Seems the school had a high-touted, current NBA player graduate a few years ago.

[ChrisSportsFan]

I don't think I really have a big issue with selling space on the uniform, however the Fed may disagree. If they don't want it then that's also fine with me. If permitted, there would be so many guidelines that would need to be considered and because of that, it might be tooooo much to deal with as salespeople and the companies would be looking for loopholes to get around it. Ex: alcahol or tobacco companies, condom companies, RX companies, goldenpalace.com, just to name a few. I doubt they will want to deal with all that.

Some of these have been mentioned but here are some other options: scoreboard space, programs/rosters, backs of chairs, towels, warmups, banners, scorers table. Another idea is why not have corporate sponsors night. The first 300 people in the gym will get a t-shirt with the sponsors message on it. Fans will probably wear it that night and then out in public after that for a year or 2. Plus, the sponsor could set up a demo tent where they could showcase their wares. This would help in many ways because it could be incorporated in their advertising which would drive fans to the gate which will increase consessions. Could be a great marketing opportunity for small local businesses. ??

[ChrisSportsFan]

it's 9:05 AM in St. Louis. They are talking about this very topic right now on ESPN radio. Tune in if you are interested.