Sponsorship on jersey fronts have been a great space for advertisers.
After all why not have soccer players running around on tv with your logo emblazoned across their chest. How about a photo op or interview with that logo proudly displayed on your chest.
Yes the sponsorship logo stands out even more than the team symbol or crest. With that in mind it is valuable revenue generator.
So now the LA Galaxy will have Herbalife as their shirt sponsor and Toronto FC Bank of Montreal and Real Salt Lake with XANGO an energy drink I am told.
Never have heard of XanGo and that is the point, I have now.
The Herbalife deal is said to be for five years according to reports out of LA at a price of 5 million a year.
Who says the Beckham deal has not be worth it. Herbalife never steps forward at that price without one David Beckham.
*More disappointment for England as they drew 0-0 in Israel creating a number of chances and Jamie Carragher heading off the crossbar. The pressure intensifies on Steve McClaren and the questions role out around the EPL…..Has the foreign element in the EPL hurt the English National team? You bet it has? More thoughts on that later.
*Locally it is tiring to see the ridiculous structure that sourrounds our youth game. I wrote a piece that ran in today’s Houston Chronicle about youth development. Adults in decision making positions need to be the ones that are alleviating the pressure on youth and youth parents. This win at all cost mentality at 9, 10 years of age is just blatantly an example of how ridiculous the structure, rules, amount of games played and pressure’s inflicted on young players are.
When will common sense take over? Or is it just that leadership doesn’t understand player development.
It is time for the U.S. National team coach to dictate policy along with U.S. Soccer on the youth structure in this country(That makes to much sense).
Relieve state associations of this pressure, the fact is they are not equipped.
It’s all good and well to put coaching manuals together but what does it matter if it is not being heeded.
DOC’s and coaches need to get involved in the political process to IMPROVE a solid youth environment that needs to get better.
Time for some take charge pro- player development DOC’s to step in and push the pendulum back towards the player.
Less games, less pressure, better adult education and age specific training with gradual implementation of competition at the correct age. Seventy games a year at age 10 is mind blowing……If you don’t nurture the technical base with young players their chances of remaining in the game is limited. Soccer is an experience, players must have a soccer culture to play in in order to thrive.
Too many rules, filibusters and red tape are confusing the parent, player soccer relationship. Get back to the game.
*Freddy Adu will be on the Soccer Hour with Glenn Davis this Tuesday at 7pm on 790Am Radio
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The job is out of proportion for Bradenton Academy, the time have come for Texas to step up and create our own version of Bradenton to asure Texas young players a place to develop their skills .
Toronto’s got BMO on their kits. Bank of Montreal. I think Xango is Real Salt Lake…
I believe it was Fake Salt Lake that has Xango, not that it really matters. I know it’s only a matter of time before the Dynamo have a sponsor, but I really hope it is something that I’d be proud to support.
Rob,
Yes thanks for the catch Xango is Real Salt Lake while Toronto FC is Bank of Montreal.
The USSF sounds (from what I understand) almost Kremlin-esque in it\’s layers of beaurocracy, secretiveness, a culture which encourages cults of personalities, paranoia, disorganization, and (one must assume) corruption. I\’ve recently read about the possibility of a potential upcomming clash between MLS and USSF regarding youth programs – the USSF would prefer MLS not poach on their turf in this area (with the possobility of USSF losing players, $$$, etc). At one end the spectrum, the USMNT needs to have a definitive long term plan moving forward. On the other end, the kids of this country need to be learning a more realistic and creative approach the game. From one end to the other there needs to be an overall consistent philosophy that embraces an approach to the game at all levels, just as you say. That\’s the President of USSF\’s job, no?
Alex,
Thanks for your post.
As I wrote in the Houston Chronicle this past Sunday.
The structure (which gets back to your point) must get back to player development and not just to quantify winning, recruiting etc.) Amount of games played, loyalty, vertical movement in soccer clubs among many other issues that just make too much sense to change?
Where is the leadership, everybody is operating under their own rules. The buck has to stop somewhere? Someone or one entity has to be accountable for the lack of change.
Rules, leagues, tournament structure, free agency rules do not support player development enough in South Texas and the leadership is not moving.
It is time for the soccer technical directors to get into the political process in order to make change?
Will they? I don’t know?