Learning to Love the Bug
The Washington Business Journal has announced that Volkswagen and DC United have signed a jersey sponsorship agreement. The deal will bring 3.7 million dollars annually to DC United and is the second largest deal in league history, behind Beckham's deal with Herbalife. There have been some rumblings about this, specifically in the Examiner, so it is not entirely out of the blue, but it sure came quick.
This sounds like a good deal to me, lots of money, an international brand, and a company that has a good history of sponsoring soccer teams. MLS rules will prevent the blue logo that would clash badly with the black and red, much like it used to clash badly with Werder Bremen's green and white, which is one of the main reasons I am pleased with the choice. But I want to know what you guys think. Do you love it? Hate it? Or could you care less?
Thanks to Mike H over at My Soccer Blog for the mock up jersey which is a photo shop job and not the official new look.
posted by Kinney @ 3:25 PM
22 Comments:
There's a lot worse out there. I hope the logo isn't as large as in that image, though... it badly overshadows the badge.
Works for me.
Personally, this was one aspect of the European game I was hoping MLS would not emulate. The other major American sports have managed to get by without dwarfing the team name on their uniforms with advertisements. I like the idea of the pitch just being about the game. Yes, professional sports are all about the business and advertisement are everywhere, but at least we could reserve just the playing field for pure sport.
With that tirade over... if we do have to have a shirt sponsor VW seems like a good choice. They're hip and a black and white logo would look alright with the united kit.
I'm with that.
If it's white and is the size of the logo on the VfB Wolfsburg shirt as recently as 06 I think, it should look alright.
freakin love it. i got a black gti with dc on the plate. sweeeeeeeeeet
Like Charles, I'm not a fan of shirt sponsors AT ALL. I've never bought a club jersey with a corporate logo on it, and I never will (unfortunately, this means I'll keep wearing my 2007 DC United shirt forever). That being said, at least DC went with a fairly unobjectionable company to whore for (instead of a ponzi scheme like Herbalife, or a gambling website like half of the premiership).
My question is, should I get the current DCU jersey (plain) as soon as possible before they are all incinerated, or should I wait until the excess non-VW jerseys show up at Marshalls for $19.99? I don't know how this works.
I may or may not eventually get the VW one, but I really like the simplicity of the white (long sleeve) that some of them were wearing in KC.
i'm quite happy with this one. sounds like good money. european legitimacy. SOMETHING not from south america.
just a side note from an amused united fan, though--
the black and red? the eagle? especially the vaguely gothic eagle symbolizing strength and power? folksvagon? zee car of zee people!?
heeeil!, united!
united!
united!
heil united!
also, props on not bringing in a snake oil kit with the most over over-paid cunt since spitzer's trysts.
I guess Sierra Mist is now kaput?
farfegnugen!
Hero: If you were around in 96 for the "Alder Badge" you know that the German influence was much more pronounced before the "T-Bird Badge." Yes, I just made both of those nicknames up, but they fit. Actually, if anyone wasn't around then, you can see half of the old badge in the upper left of the DCenters banner.
great...they are supported by vjay-jay wheels...
I love it. My favorite club is now sponsored by my (more or less) favorite cars. I have two of them in my driveway...and when things aren't falling off them, I love them even more.
Somewhat like my favorite club, come to think of it.
Such is life.
But one thought: the blue-n-silver VW logo would look fantastic on the all-white away shirts. Actually, I don't think it'd look that bad on the home black, either, but I don't mind if they're different.
Either way:
A) it's gonna look pretty cool,
and 2) it's lotsa extra dough to splash around on some up-top finishing firepower to go with this solid engine room we seem to have put together.
[bad sarcasm] Maybe Drogba wants to come Westward...[/bad sarcasm]
[worse sarcasm] ...and bring Henry with him.[/worse sarcasm
MONEY! Vdub is a sexy brand and will probably help sell more shirts. Let's go buy some more players now...or give a bonus to Simms!
Magic, DC UTD become like the Beastie Boys cica 1986.
Might need to get one of these when they come out.
I just hope this doesn't mean we're going to be plagued by electrical problems.
hero and kinney:
I'm glad it is in keeping with the DC-Germany connection, which I've noticed before. At certain times, their kits look a lot like the German national team when they wear white jerseys and black shorts. And those black, white, and red flags in the stands look suspiciously like the flag of the German Empire (1871-1918).
I love this as Germany is my second team to root for in the World Cup. Hey, and we have a German coach and a German speaking forward as well.
Interesting no one noted VW is also a local company -- with US headquarters moving to Herndon. This is a great, great fit for United. Love it.
I've been plugging for Verizon, but totally overlooked VW as a possible sponsor. DC definately has the most legitimate sponsor of the MLS teams, apart from maybe Red Bull. I think it will look great, and more importantly, help bring in some easy cash.
I'm fine with it. Certainly could have been worse. At least our jersey will look better than Chicago's POS Best Buy jerseys. I think I still would have preferred Verizon though, just to keep with the red-and-black tradition.
It is nice to have a well-known sponsor with an international brand. Collect the non-branded jerseys while you can.
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