off topic- that was awful- shame on the NCAA

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by mutantducky

Turning the channel I came across quite possibly the ugliest floor I have ever seen in the Memphis- Kansas game. I think it was St. Louis arena. But what made it really bad were the ads. First the REESE'S near the ft line. But then to top it off Bud Light on the sides.
This is FU$%ing college hoops. Sure the NCAA are whores during tourney time but this is the worst I've seen it for a regular game. Looked worse than a hockey rink. And of course Bud Light will stop at nothing to get younger drinkers, advertising on a floor where most of the players are under 21 along with many of the students watching the game.

I am going to disagree with you a little bit. This is not all about the NCAA. The NCAA is not in direct control of all tournaments. I have no problem with the Reese's Pieces ad, considering there are similar ads all the time in other forms of NCAA activities.

Secondly the Bud Light thing also does not bother me that much either. The people who attend these types of tournaments are not kids. The people that usually attend these tournaments are boosters and alumni. And many schools allow for tailgating with alcohol at universities. My Alma mater has outlawed alcohol on campus and that was big time controversial and has driven away many alumni during Homecoming and other school events. Maybe these seems like it is over the top, but alcohol is sold at many college events in and outside of those arenas. When the Big Ten Tournament was held in the United Center, there was a place where alcohol was sold and allowed on the premises. I would agree that it was not as blatant, but it could be sold at the event and many sponsors outside of the arena were allowed to be sold. For example there are beer gardens at the Big Ten Tournament that Budweiser or other distributors are allowed to participate. So this is not a first and will not be the last of these kinds of ads. But I would not say the NCAA is totally responsible because these are independent tournaments that help put teams together that would not normally play, with a tournament like atmosphere. After all this is about money and Athletic programs need that to function.

Peace