No ads planned for NHL jerseys

[Josh]

Gary Bettman went on record today to say that there have been no discussions about advertising on jerseys.

Thank god.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-jerseys-ads-bettman-1.3229229

[Matt the Aussie]

Advertising, like in European soccer or rugby, is not a bad thing.

However, the advertising I have seen in other hockey leagues (think Sweden etc.) where there are 15 different logos all at once, should be avoided at all costs.

[Josh]

Advertising, like in European soccer or rugby, is not a bad thing.

However, the advertising I have seen in other hockey leagues (think Sweden etc.) where there are 15 different logos all at once, should be avoided at all costs.

I guess that's a good point. There are definitely levels to it and I assume if ever the NHL does pursue it, it will be a small little logo or something.

It raises an interesting question - if ads on jerseys did go through, would it be a league-wide initiative, or would teams be free to keep their jerseys free of ads if they choose not to pursue a deal?

[Matt the Aussie]

The Rugby World Cup is about to start this week on TSN. Have a look at the jerseys used there, and these are for teams representing their country. There's usually 1 sponsor on the chest of the jersey, and 1 on the pants - that's it. If we can stick to a format like that, I can't see a problem.

As for your other question, I think that's the sticking point holding this up. In other leagues the sponsorship of the jersey is money that goes directly to that club. I'm thinking the NHL wants a slice of that pie (why wouldn't they).

[Josh]

The Rugby World Cup is about to start this week on TSN. Have a look at the jerseys used there, and these are for teams representing their country. There's usually 1 sponsor on the chest of the jersey, and 1 on the pants - that's it. If we can stick to a format like that, I can't see a problem.

As for your other question, I think that's the sticking point holding this up. In other leagues the sponsorship of the jersey is money that goes directly to that club. I'm thinking the NHL wants a slice of that pie (why wouldn't they).

Yeah, exactly. And what happens if rich O6 teams want nothing to do with the extra revenue that would come at the cost of tarnishing the jersey..

[Matt the Aussie]

Actually, having watched the Rugby over the weekend, it appears they have removed jersey sponsors for this tournament.

[Josh]

Actually, having watched the Rugby over the weekend, it appears they have removed jersey sponsors for this tournament.

Do you find it more palatable to watch now, or does it still not make much of a difference?

[Matt the Aussie]

It makes zero difference to me. I was almost like "where are the ads, I miss them".

I grew up watching sports that have advertising - Rugby and Soccer (specifically the English Premier League). Weird as it may sound, it becomes part of the jersey and a badge of pride.

The team I follow (Manchester City) used to be a very poor team but recently (with a big injection of cash and no salary cap) they have improved to champion quality. The jerseys they have now are sponsored by Etihad, however you still see people in the stands with the old jerseys that were sponsored by Brother (remember the printers?). Almost to prove to people "I was here before the bandwagon". Manchester United's jerseys are now sponsored by Chevrolet...but I remember their glory days with Sharp on the chest.

Especially when the details of the jerseys don't change very much - City is always sky blue and United are red - it serves to define eras of the history of the team.

I imagine the closest thing would be people who grew up with no ads on the boards...now you couldn't imagine a game without it.