A place to discuss anything involving team sports uniforms - styles and trends, regulations, what's hot, and more!
5.26.2011
5.25.2011
5.24.2011
5.23.2011
5.20.2011
5.19.2011
5.18.2011
2.03.2011
Jamaica's Track Team Design -- Light it Up!
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Jamaica has announced that their uniforms for the IAAF World Championships in August in S. Korea will be designed by none other than Bob Marley's oldest daughter Cedella Marley. This has been met with favorable reviews.
I vote to refrain from judgment until I see the goods!
Click Here for More!
Jamaica has announced that their uniforms for the IAAF World Championships in August in S. Korea will be designed by none other than Bob Marley's oldest daughter Cedella Marley. This has been met with favorable reviews.
I vote to refrain from judgment until I see the goods!
1.15.2011
I'm a Pepper, You're a Pepper...So Who's the Bimbo?
A couple days ago the Philadelphia Union, my hometown's MLS squad, announced Bimbo Bakeries USA as their official jersey sponsor. In pro soccer, jersey sponsorship is a huge thing. And Union execs are quick to point out that it's a pretty big deal for them, too. But is it a good thing?
The deal, at a reported $12 million over 4 years, ain't bad. That's for sure. For the coffers of the Union, it's money in the bank. No waiting for ticket sales. Concessions. Nope, it's Dinero Hoy. Today Money. (Yes, save your politically correct hearts, Bimbo is headquartered in Mexico)
This "business bent"(like Beckham?) isn't the usual subject matter here, but as you may know, I own Team Sports Planet, a company that, amongst other things, sells decorated soccer jerseys. So it's well within my bailiwick.
Almost any business entity is well-served by cash in advance (some here) and still more guaranteed over time (the check's, figuratively speaking, in the mail). And Manchester United, the Union ain't. (There's only one!) So what's the problem?
It starts with the not so proverbially "300lb. Bimbo in the Room".
The "political correctness" question is one better handled by others (as my use of bad "Spanglish" above demonstrates). But let's just agree that ""Words mean something."
Just Google the word Bimbo. I guess you'd eventually find something about the sponsor and their baked products. But, uh....I got distracted. (Google Images is even more, uh, problematic.)
Some company's products have defined a category (see Google, Xerox, FedEx). But no matter how much Bimbo spends it will NEVER re-define "Bimbo". Not gonna happen. Never has. FYI: The company name is NOT Spanish or even Mexican in origin. Allegedly it was a coined by some marketing genius who grafted "Bingo" with "Bambi". (What was he/she smoking?)
But back to the deal. Is it even the best one that could have been made. Even with the same exact corporate partner? Is it a Brand marketing mistake?
Bimbo bakeries manufactures many very familiar brand name products (Entenmanns, Stroehmann, even, surprisingly Thomas' English Muffins).
And they are reportedly interested in buying financially troubled regional (as in Philly) Tastykakes. So why not use one of them? Why, instead, do they want to shove "Bimbo" down our throats? (Insert salacious joke here)
Whatever the rationale, I gotta say it's bone-headed. Bimbo ain't going nowhere. We know what one is and we like it. Or hate it. But we ain't willing to replace it, for sure. The smarter play: Buy Tastycakes (their products completely ROCK for those that have not had the pleasure); then launch nationally (national signage is part of their deal with the Union & MLS), with Tastycakes. (I admit some "cultural bias as a Philly native).
On another point: Is the deal short sighted? You'd have to say "maybe". But to a business entity as fragile as any MLS team in today's economy, I'd honestly reply "Tomorrow is promised to no one." So "Yes" and "So what"?
As to the question: Will it detract from other revenues streams (namely, jersey sales)? On the aesthetic front alone, the combo of the two designs is utterly horrific. IMHO it takes an average at best looking jersey and adds a diametrically opposed(in graphical sensibility) logo, making for an ugly mess of a jersey. It would be UNFIT TO SHIP if it came out my company's production department. It's --unquestionably-- terrible.
On to the fans. Who? What? Okay, the people who are supposed to BUY these newly befouled jerseys. I'm not sure if MLS shares the revenues from ALL jersey sales with each team or if the teams (who benefit in either scenario) retain sole possession of their squad's jerseys. (If someone knows please tell) . But you gotta figure that the net result of the Bimbo sponsorship is a lose-lose for the fans (and the Union) as to team jersey sales. What GIRL or WOMAN would put on a god-awful ugly shirt with the ugly logo spelling out "Bimbo"?!?! This is kinda cute:
This ain't!!!!!!!!!!
This ain't!!!!!!!!!!
What PARENT buys this for their kid? What GUY wants to don this piece of crap? I will be STUNNED if this lose-lose scenario is ever ADMITTED by team execs; but I ASSURE you the deal will send jersey sales into the toilet.
Lastly, how does this thing play out long term? Does the deal ruin the brand "Philadelphia Union"?
Well, I honestly HATED the name to begin with. As a Philadelphia businessman. Why? Because our town, quite reasonably, has a negative perception as a place to DO business. Why? The UNIONS. Not the team. The actual unions that hold the business development back in the Stone Age. You'd think it was 1950 the way union leaders in this town blather on. The money that is lost when businesses choose to NOT set up in Philly because the cost of union construction, litigation, pay scales and, yes, intimidation. Who needs all that when the suburbs of Philly are a stone's throw away? (Even Bimbo Bakeries USA is in the SUBURBS!)
So yeah, in short, two wrongs don't make a right.
12.31.2010
12.28.2010
Xenith X1 Football Helmet - Jaw Shock Absorber Replacement
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Xenith X1 Football Helmet - Jaw Shock Absorber Replacement
Xenith X1 Football Helmet - Jaw Shock Absorber Replacement
12.24.2010
12.22.2010
12.21.2010
Football Helmets: Technology and Concussions
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As the great football safety debate rages on, the need for safer more technologically advanced football equipment grows, specifically football helmets. Before this football season the need for improved safety and the call for better equipment has been largely overlook, suppressed and in most cases down right ignored.
Today is a new day and that is no longer the case, with the recent rash in concussions, the NFL and all other leagues and associations can no longer ignore this inconvenient truth. Something has got to be done and now is time for a change!
So what to do and where to start? At the top and in football that means the helmet, the most important piece of equipment any player owns. Today, the sport of football has come a long way since the days for leather and hand crafting was the height of technology, now polycarbonate shells lined with dense foam padding either polyurethane, polystyrene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate or a combination is standard for use in modern football helmet design.
Even still this isn't enough and we must push the limits. Today many experts believe that Xenith's X1 is the future of football and here's why:
"When a player wearing an X1 takes a relatively mild hit, the pressure forces air out of the pinholes, dispelling force by deflating the absorber until it’s as flat as a saucer. When the pressure is removed, the absorbers reinflate quickly… and the helmet is ready for the next impact. During a more violent collision… the higher level of force tries to displace the air more quickly than the pinhole can accommodate, thereby increasing the air pressure inside the absorber. That pressure stiffens the disk, offering skull protection much as traditional helmets do."
So is there hope for the future? I sure believe so!
As the great football safety debate rages on, the need for safer more technologically advanced football equipment grows, specifically football helmets. Before this football season the need for improved safety and the call for better equipment has been largely overlook, suppressed and in most cases down right ignored.
Today is a new day and that is no longer the case, with the recent rash in concussions, the NFL and all other leagues and associations can no longer ignore this inconvenient truth. Something has got to be done and now is time for a change!
So what to do and where to start? At the top and in football that means the helmet, the most important piece of equipment any player owns. Today, the sport of football has come a long way since the days for leather and hand crafting was the height of technology, now polycarbonate shells lined with dense foam padding either polyurethane, polystyrene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate or a combination is standard for use in modern football helmet design.
Even still this isn't enough and we must push the limits. Today many experts believe that Xenith's X1 is the future of football and here's why:
"When a player wearing an X1 takes a relatively mild hit, the pressure forces air out of the pinholes, dispelling force by deflating the absorber until it’s as flat as a saucer. When the pressure is removed, the absorbers reinflate quickly… and the helmet is ready for the next impact. During a more violent collision… the higher level of force tries to displace the air more quickly than the pinhole can accommodate, thereby increasing the air pressure inside the absorber. That pressure stiffens the disk, offering skull protection much as traditional helmets do."
So is there hope for the future? I sure believe so!
12.20.2010
The NFL, Helmets and Concussions
In recent news football related concussions has taken the spot light and some sources claim that football related concussions have gone up 21% this season! This is not a good sign.
The NFL has been taking note of this and hasn't been sitting idly by, it has been desperately searching for a solution for problem and has called for some surprising and not so surprising friends.
The NFL has consulted equipment makers, sports researchers, the military and even NASCAR about how to improve helmet safety and cut down on concussions. Even the idea of "Soft-Shelled Football Helmets" have been taken in to consideration to improve player safety and reduce brain damage.
With all the innovation and brainstorming the bottom line is something has to change for the sport to continue to thrive and prosper.
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