Ads on Practice Jerseys?

By: Greg Payne

Oh, how the corporate market continues to mutate:

Beginning this season the NBA will let teams sell ads on their practice jerseys, says deputy commissioner Adam Silver, who adds the league is continuing to explore the issue of ads on game jerseys.

"We are operating a diverse business all around the world," Silver says. "(The sponsored game jersey) is a well-established practice in other countries. Ultimately, I think our fans will come to accept it."

Um...who actually sees the practice jerseys? The personnel of the team selling the jersey to the advertiser? Say the Celtics sell an ad to Nike (hypothetically speaking) and only team employees see the ads. Are they just advertising to their own people?

Will they be aimed at the players? Are these going to be like, super duper, Incredible Hulk-like ads, giving the dish on items like Ferraris and mansions that might appeal to NBA superstars? I mean, you and I will not be seeing these ads on a regular basis, unless Comcast SportsNet suddenly runs a, "Let's look in on the Celtics' most recent practice in Waltham" feature on every pre-game show.

AND HOLD ON! Aren't we the team that complains practically every single day that we never have ENOUGH practice time? Whether it's a steady compilation of home and away back to backs or the need to rest our aging legs, or whatever else, we probably won't even practice enough to warrant such a move. We'd probably be robbing the poor advertisers in the end, unless the gym bags and closets the jerseys will be stuffed in for much of the season can suddenly pull an Optimus Prime and transform into a walking, independent being and go out and buy stuff on their own.

Well, whatever works for them. As long as it doesn't interfere with us winning, they can do what they want.

Stay Tuned.