Following in David Stern’s footsteps, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver has found a new way to ruin basketball, while putting more money in his pockets.
Silver has proposed to add sponsor logos to NBA jerseys within roughly five years. Talk of creating space for sponsorship has gone on since All-Star weekend, only two months into Silver’s term at chair commissioner.
In February, Silver told NBC Sports, “We’re not close at the moment to including sponsors on jerseys,” Silver said. “It’s something that we’re continuing to look at. I believe it ultimately will happen in the NBA. I think it makes good business sense.”
If by business, you mean revenue at the expense of jersey integrity, you are right Mr. Silver.
ESPN analyst Darren Rovell reported that in 2011, Silver, Stern’s apprentice at the time, said putting logos on jerseys would be worth about $100 million a year to the NBA.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stands behind Silver and has been pushing for sponsors on jerseys alongside him. It’s no secret the huge increase in revenue is a major incentive.
It would not be the first time someone sold pride for cold hard cash.
At the 2014 IMG World Congress of Sports, Silver was asked if we could expect to see sponsors appearing on NBA jerseys soon, to which he replied “definitely”. Speculation of the newly introduced sleeved jerseys is believed by many to be prime real estate for sponsor patches to start appearing.
Despite major players resistance to the sleeved jerseys, or LeBron James’ claims that they are to blame for his poor shooting, Silver has made it clear the new look is here to stay.
The increased surface area as well as the more neutral tones of sleeved jerseys is considered priming for what is to come.
The fans, at least, are not taking this lying down.
In a SportsNation poll that asked participants if they would be okay with Silver’s changes to NBA jerseys. 73% answered no.
Will basketball fans quit buying jerseys if endorsing Taco Bell’s “Live Mas” is included? Imagine Derrick Rose’s throwback jersey in 20 years dawning a large LifeAlert logo (help he’s fallen and he can’t get up).
The idea of branding our favorite hoop stars is being compared to European soccer leagues whose team jerseys are recognized by brand names. Silver believes if they can do it, it’s time we do too.
Ignoring the fact soccer fans outnumber NBA fans multiple times over, let’s face the facts. The WNBA and MLS both have branded jerseys, and when’s the last time you saw someone wearing one of those? Its okay, I’ll wait.
