The NBA is giving serious consideration to allowing advertising on the jerseys of teams beginning in 2017/18 and the Raptors have reportedly suggested to potential advertisers that the on-jersey ads will cost between $4MM and $5MM per season. During their sales pitches, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment executives have discussed the prospect of ads of about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, which would be the same size as the Kia Motors Corp. ad that appeared on the NBA All-Star Game jerseys this year in Toronto, according to a report by Rick Westhead of TSN.ca. It still remains unclear just how on-jersey ads would affect the revenue sharing around the league. One possible scenario drawing mention would see teams keep 50% of the revenue they generate from such ads and put the other half into a league-wide fund that is split equally between franchises, according to Westhead.
Fans of soccer and international basketball are no strangers to on-jersey ads, but they are a relatively new concept to professional sports in the U.S.. In the never-ending search to locate new revenue sources, advertisements on team uniforms are the logical next step for the NBA. But it is also a change that may ruffle the feathers of some purists out there who believe the game should keep paid advertisements off of the players.
This brings me to the topic for today: Should the league allow on-jersey advertising?
Does the thought of potentially seeing advertisements on your favorite team’s uniforms distress and annoy you? Or do you think its no big deal and a change that the NBA should make to increase its earning power? Take to the comments section to share your thoughts and feelings on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.
No. The financial gain isn’t worth it, which is a rare thing to say, but it fits here. I don’t want to see any stupid logos or company names on my basketball team’s jersey. I don’t want ads forced down my throat either. When I go out and buy a jersey, it’s to represent my team, and the player. The thought of this annoys me
…there are other sources of revenue
Would that not be unfair between the teams? LAL or NYK will surely earn more than OKC or NOP..
No, especially no if they are on the retail jerseys.. Thus could actually curve sales.
One reason this may not happen: conflicts with player endorsements. Since this is a major revenue stream for players, I think the union will oppose it strongly.