Reebok going too far?

[Nublar7]

Look at this:

Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor was answering questions from the media after Sunday's loss to New England when a Dolphins official tossed him a towel.

But it wasn't to wipe sweat off his famously shaved head. The towel was meant to cover the tag hanging off his collar.

Why?

Because Reebok, thanks to its 10-year, $250 million contract, rules the NFL's fashion world. And since Taylor's tag didn't say Reebok, the league could have imposed a $10,000 fine.

If caught in violation, players are fined $10,000 for the first infraction and $20,000 each time thereafter. The fines, which go to charity, are even more substantial in the playoffs  $50,000 and $75,000  because the television ratings are higher. And in the Super Bowl, $100,000 is the price for being different. Of course, Super Bowl commercials are so costly that some companies are willing to pay a player's fines to advertise their merchandise.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2005/11/16/a7c_finsextra_1116.html

Wow, $10,000?

 

[dominizzo]

saaaaaaaaad

 

[Dark Phoenix208]

Reebok is just strict about it and because Nike wipes the floor with them.

Mod Edit: Please be civil. That type of language isn't allowed here.

 

[kastofsna120]

it's in the contract, so he better do it

 

[SMadison29]

That's why team officials and former Dolphins receiver Randall Hill, who helps the club enforce the rules, keep an eye out after games.

I didin't know he still helped out with the team. I thought he fell off the globe.

 

[Lazy1]

If i was paying the type of money reebok is to sponsor i would be pretty strict about it as well.

 

[whatsburning]

If you donated even $10 to a charity, would you want the credit to go to your rival?

 

[byroan]

Nike tried to do the same thing.

Though Reebok held the right to outfit football players with jerseys, pants, gloves, etc., Nike balked at the baseball-style caps donned by players on the sidelines. Perhaps it's because the caps clearly display Reebok's brand. Or maybe it's because NFL sidelines have become one of sport's biggest billboards, prominently showcasing the Motorola/Gatorade crowd.

Last season, Nike sent letters to its players pointing out the conflict in a Nike endorser wearing a Reebok product that is not a part of the NFL uniform. At the beginning of this season it sent another letter, warning that wearing the caps "would be a violation of your Nike football contract and could result in a termination of this contract."

http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=4610

 

[Lederhosen]

Kevin Carter is right: they pay, everybody gets their share, so let them do what they want

 

[Muck]

Dolphins defensive end Kevin Carter, who is closely involved with the NFL Players Association, understands that Reebok deserves consideration because of the money it pays the league  and that some of the money trickles down to the players.

"Most of the players understand that everyone benefits," Carter said.

There you have it.

 

[Schleprock]

There you have it.

Not exactly, because I can assure you many players with their personal deals under Nike, Adidas, etc. make significantly more than what "trickles" down according to Carter.

If someone specifically wants to pay me, sorry, they trump what I am going to wear over the company paying the Head Honchos to rule with an iron fist to make the cattle heard wear their stuff they don't want to.