Didn't Reebok buy Adidas? How can that be "unauthorized"?

Didn't Under Armour just sign a deal with the NFL?

This is but another example of what's wrong in sports and to a greater extent, America. For those of us who can remember watching our favorite team and naming most, if not, all of its players and coaches, today we find that big money sponsorship and the ensuing leeches or sport agents have sucked out what little pure random occurences happen between and outside the lines.

This is not to simply say, one longs for the good ole days; since, many of those days may be good for some were not so good for many of the players. Yet, one thing is for sure, our recreational sports have been hijacked by special interests just like our Congress and Executive branch. The last Superbowl was anything but super in its officiating that seem orchestrated right down to the last 2 minutes. With so much money in what was once such a grand game--the fans are mere pawns of the NFL establishment and their enablers.

So what if a guy wishes to wear a different cleat? How many fans attending the game or watching across the nation recognize this player was wearing the supposely wrong cleats? Or even cared? And, what exactly does his cleats besides not being controlled by these two mega corporations have to do with the game of football?

And for this nonsense, we all are a great deal worse each day when we fail to recognize the real crime and the real losers. This is silly stuff, just once again showing that God isn't king in America, money is (and probably always has been).

Note:
If in the future the NFL wants to really punish offenders like Bush for shoe violations, it might consider sentencing him to a dinner with Joe Theismann. Surely, then Mr. Bush will know that the NFL means business.

Does Bush really care? I heard his deal with Adidas includes a clause for paying all these fines, so big deal.

The NFL is a farce... fining people for the brand of shoe they wear. I didn't know the league has now become corporate enforcer.

Actually, one of the reasons you get to enjoy such a large, successful product like the NFL (and it is a product, even if you won't admit it) is exactly because of these exclusive sponsorship deals. Nike and Reebok sign exclusive contracts with the League, which gets money and the players get free cleats while the companies get exposure. Sometimes the NFL goes overboard with its rigid enforcement of standards (Portis wearing a non-approved mask on his helmet last year), but oftentimes it's just protecting its wildly successful brand.

Similarly, there's a reason WJLA can't just lug a few cameras to FedEx and start filming the next Redskins game. It's all part of the business. If you don't like that aspect, go watch some D3 ball.

haha. LOVE it. why does the average american even think twice about this? does it affect you? just watch and eat your potato chips and drink your beer.

Adidas has to love this. Tons of free advertising, associating it with the game's most exciting new player. I think the NFL is playing right into their hands by making an issue of it.