The NFL’s Chicago Bears are now officially sponsored by Bank One. Yes, that’s right….Bears football is “brought to you by Bank One.” Many people will decry this is commercialization of yet another pastime (as if football isn’t commercialized as is), but take a look at the football (soccer) clubs in Europe.

These club teams are the heart and soul of professional soccer. And every team has corporate logos plastered to their jerseys. That’s how Real Madrid can afford to pay Manchester United tens of millions of dollars for the services of David Beckham. That isn’t Beckham’s salary…that’s just how much Real Madrid paid to get Beckham.

Of course, the NFL doesn’t quite work that way, so additional corporate sponsorship could just mean bigger and bigger salaries for players. But it could also mean a more level playing field among the teams….now anyone can find a corporate sponsor and have access to millions more dollars, meaning the team can afford better players. Time will tell how it all works out…

Posted on 25 June 2003