Advertisements In Hockey Are Now Taking Over Goalie Pads And I Won't Stand For It
The Comeback – The Swedish national hockey team is bringing advertising to its goalies’ leg padsin a pretty clever way, attaching stickers that make the pads look like Head and Shoulders shampoo bottles. Goalies Jhonas Enroth, Magnus Hellberg and Linus Söderström are set to debut these Wednesday in the team’s Karjala Cup opener against the Czech Republic, and the Swedes are set to wear these during all competitions outside the Olympics and World Championships (presumably because those tournaments have strict rules on athlete endorsements and apparel).
First the advertisements came for the boards and I said nothing. Next, they came for the ice and I said nothing. Then the advertisements came for the jerseys. I said you better keep that Euro trash the friggin’ heck away from the NHL, but ultimately I said nothing. Now it looks like the ads are coming for goalie pads and you know what? It’s time to put a foot down and say enough is enough. I know the sport is in a tough spot. If they don’t sell these ads spots, then they get blasted in the ass because they’re not making any money. If they do decide to sell these ad spots then they get blasted in the ass because they look like a bunch of bozos. Basically what I’m saying is everybody in charge of trying to monetize the sport of hockey is set up to get ass blasted any direction they go in. I’m understanding of that.
But still. This is a slippery, slippery slope that I’m not sure we’re all ready for. First it’s the goalie pads for Head & Shoulders. Next thing you know we’ve got Tampax Pearl advertising on gloves and some divorce attorney advertising on skates. I’m not just going to idly sit by here and watch as my sport is ravaged by a bunch of greedy corporate cock suckers. Danglers of the world unite! Put down your sticks and gloves and fight!
P.S. – At least this ad kind of makes some sense. Swedish goalies are known for having luscious hair. Gotta be the Head & Shouldies.
