This caught my eye on the Beeb website. It's an article on the All Blacks player Sonny Bill Williams who in his central contract with New Zealand Rugby has a "conscientious objector" clause in his club contract that stipulates that he will not wear kit branded with logos from Banks, Alcohol Brands and Gambling Companies. http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/39577166 This got me thinking, it's a quiet day, about the expansion of these types of business that are principle sponsors in football, Barclays, Sky Bet, assorted Gambling sites, Bet 365, Mansion etc and wouldn't it be interesting if a professional footballer, team said, hang on a minute the alcohol and gambling sites are 2 of the biggest form of addiction in the UK, lets not promote these sort of activities. I realise it's unlikely but maybe it's about time that principles took a stand against the spread of this type of advertising and lets get back to the days when smaller local businesses were the main sponsors.......Classic FM anyone? Discuss.
CarGiant? Don't think that will be happening again anytime soon! Truth is, money talks, and seems to over-ride morals. Would be interesting if Messi or Ronaldo had a similar clause, but you get the impression that money is king in football.
Remember Papiss Cisse refusing to wear a Newcastle shirt with Wonga branding? Very noble, but he backed down in the end
Given recent history, I think we should be sponsored by an elevator company, whose lifts go up and down sporadically, and are incapable of reaching the top six floors.
Ricky Tomlinson's spin off series after 'England Manager' had great sponsors: please log in to view this image
I'd like to see Onuoha & Co. with Durex emblazoned on their shirts; then perhaps nothing with get past?
I always found it funny when we had Sellotape plastered on the back of the shirts a few years ago, and the inflatable pritt-sticks at half-time.
It would be nice if we could kick those kinds of companies out of the way and if I was a footballer and had serious clout, I'd look into what effect I could have on the situation. I actually decide on buying my replica shirts based on things like this, anyway. For example, I didn't buy any of the shirts by Nike (not only because they were **** but also out of principle). And I have no interest in buying a shirt with a gambling logo or some other unethical business.
Out of curiosity, why don't you buy NIke ? And, again out of curiosity, if Nike are 'unethical' (I assume), what trainers do you wear ?? I wouldn't dream of boycotting my 'Adidas Gazelles'
Not keen on any sponsorship on shirts for purely aesthetic reasons, it's ugly. Tiny shirt makers logos just about bearable. Some classic rugby shirts have been ruined by advertising in the last few years.
