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gender, morality, sponsorship; this threads got 'em all

11:15 / 28.01.02

A slightly lighter thread this time, albiet one that could have interesting theoretical underpinnings.

It stems from this story of a porn actress who was blocked from sponsering a female volleyball team.

So what is wrong about a porn actress sponsering a female vollyball team anyhow? and where does that stand in relation to, say tabacco advertising in sport?

[ 28-01-2002: Message edited by: sleazenation ]

A

11:41 / 28.01.02

This makes me think of the bit in the Simpsons were Homer says in come-hither tones "Maaaarge, I've been watching women's voleyball".

11:55 / 28.01.02

Wouldn't it be a bit demeaning for the athletes involved? Like a shirt saying "nice piece of totty". Workable in the right context, but here it kinda undermines the athletic endeavour.

12:13 / 28.01.02

Isn't all advertising by its very nature demeaning though? Emphasising the product being advertised as superior to the talent of the athlete wearing it (the eternal promise of nike trainers to make you into an athletic god too).

12:23 / 28.01.02

yeah a swift glance at the report has smirking references to one of the volleyball players being 'a tad overdressed' - because she's wearing a volleyball shirt. any bloody excuse not to take women's sport seriously.

having sponsorship from a porn actress shouldn't be a problem. but you know it will be....

12:51 / 28.01.02

And when it comes down to it women's sport recives a fraction of the amount of sponsorship mens events do... so can a gift horse be looked in the mouth.

Or can (is?) this story being used to highlight the plight of women's sporting events in an effort to prise an alternative publicity hungry sponsor out of the woodwork?

The Return Of Rothkoid

12:57 / 28.01.02

quote:Originally posted by sleazenation:
and where does that stand in relation to, say tabacco advertising in sport?I think the idea behind the tobacco ban in sports advertising is because the thinking is that tobacco is harmful, and if sports heroes are seen wearing fuck-off sized logos for Marlboro (or whatever) that this is going to encourage kids to explore smoking. Which is a relatively good thought, I reckon - given that cigs are carcinogenic, and all - but sidesteps the fact that most kids end up smoking at some time anyway.

Anyway. I don't see how it'd be very similar: there's not as much of a proven link between porn and ill-health as there is between smoking and cancer (et al). The tobacco advertising ban seems to be rooted largely in health concern (well, if I were being devoid of cynicism, that is), while the porn ban is - as the article suggests - based largely on an idea of morality.

I agree with SFD: it shouldn't be a problem, but you know it will be.

13:02 / 28.01.02

quote:Isn't all advertising by its very nature demeaning though? Emphasising the product being advertised as superior to the talent of the athlete wearing it (the eternal promise of nike trainers to make you into an athletic god too).

It is a question of appropriateness. An indiscriminate choice of sponsorship would be self-defeating. I'm not sure all advertising is demeaning. I could imagine quite a few relatively harmless sponsors for a volleyball team.

13:12 / 28.01.02

the issue, to me, is that not only is the nature of the sponsors profession and all of its surrounding scandal distracting from the sport, but also that it could discourage future sponsorships and advertisements, both for this team as well as others and the league itself

13:18 / 28.01.02

What does everyone think of the widespread brewery sponsorship in the premiership and premier league?

13:33 / 28.01.02

the sponsorship of the premiership by prominent brewers is very interesting especially since the recent spate of fines players have recieve for 'being on licenced premises x amount of hours before a game'...

13:52 / 28.01.02

The scene:
Arsenal players celebrating after securing a place in the cup final
The man:
Paul Merson.

He runs to the crowd celebrating. He repeatedly launches into a 'downing several pints mime', his face a picture of joy. What fun he was having. A man in complete control.

Cut to a few years later...

Merson admit he is an alcoholic and that it has a hugely negative impact on his life and career.

14:05 / 28.01.02

And this year's case of footballers Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate, found guilty of being part of a drunken mob that gave a student a bit of a kicking.

Is the part that alcohol played relevant ?

Does sport in general need to be more scrupulos where it gets its cash from?

18:54 / 28.01.02

maybe all us barbelithers should put our pennies together and sponsor a women's volleyball team . . . or would they turn us down?