A t SEC Media Days Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban warned that unscrupulous agents were pimps. Unfortunately, there are other pimps in this world. And whores. Both greedy of any gain and ready to exploit anyone to get it. In this case, the University of Alabama and its athletic department play the role of whore, and Nike plays the role of pimp.
The new uniform featuring Houndstooth is a blatant attempt to introduce more products to sell to already enthusiastic fans. It is not as horrible as it sounds; however, houndstooth is so overused that the design is obviously prosaic; it lacks any real inspiration. (RBR has a description and pic)
It is like when baseball added the designated hitter or interleague play. It just isn’t necessary. And just like interleague play, it is a desperate attempt to make money by undermining years of tradition.
That is not to say that uniforms can’t have variety. The NFL experiment with throwback uniforms was a very good thing. These uniforms added a dimension for the fans who had not seen some of the classic looks of the past. But the NFL is a different animal. It is a for-profit operation, and college football isn’t about profit or generating new revenue streams.
Wait. Today college football’s only reason to exist is to generate cash. And more cash. And more cash. This is done via television contracts and selling more goods at retailers from high end merchants to Wal-Mart. And don’t forget to raise parking fees.
Alabama will do anything for a buck. It will trade its self-respect for revenue, and sell its soul for royalties. It sued one of its best ambassadors over his paintings; the University has used public money in its persecution of respected artist Daniel Moore. Anything for a buck!
Alabama fans should be offended that the Unviersity and Nike chose to wrap themselves in houndstooth. They have brazenly decided to exploit the legacy of Paul W. “Bear” Bryant to sell Nike products. Where was the leadership of Nick Saban to protect the integrity of his program? Where was the leadership to protect the fans from such obvious commercial exploitation?
This is a cynical move by a mega-corporation. Perhaps one of the most cynical moves since Caligula named his horse a consul. Fans deserve better. The University of Alabama deserves better. Where is the leadership?
::sighs:: It’s pretty ridiculous (and also presumptuous and contradictory) to call Bama a ‘whore’ because they’re playing 1 game…ONE GAME…in these jerseys. You can’t brag and boast about the stadium upgrades (which…are amazing by the way) without these types of things.
So settle down. If Bama’s a ‘whore,’ then Bama’s a good-lookin’ whore that everybody follows on twitter. Just sayin’.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. We’ll still repeat.
That guy.
I understand that to win at football requires lots of money, or as the Romans liked to say the sinews of war are infinite monies.
I’m just not sure selling more merchandise to fans for a one-shot jersey is a good idea for the brand, or the fans.
You answered your Question and Angst over this.
It’s all about the Damn Money. It’s a Business.
Pay the Athletes and stop this Travesty. It’s nothing more than a Minor League for the NFL .
The Reality of it Sucks.
Well, the uniforms shouldn’t have an affect on the way they play, unless you are Georgia or Miss St of course.
It is about the money, but it is just a uniform, and it isn’t that drastic of a change. If they are winning, who really lets this bother them?
Look for Auburn to copy with the Udder Armor pro-farm uniform, with the pants having a faded cow-spot pattern on them.
Jeez…..simmer down everybody.Our version of the pro combat uni is tame and was reeled in by our powres that be.Look,Nike gave us 30 plus this off season.We’re a well paid whore cause we are damn good looking and our pimp is styling and profiling.I’m old school with our beloved uni as much as any one but this is suttle and pretty neat.No problemo.Maybe someone will black our ass out !