Wenger On Notice Next
Okay, that’s a gross mischaracterization, but the latest publicity stunt by Stephen Colbert actually has a tenuous connection to Arsenal.
From the AP: “On Monday’s ‘The Colbert Report,’ Stephen Colbert announced his show has become the primary sponsor of the U.S. Speedskating team. The team’s largest annual cash sponsor, DSB Bank NV, left the team in the lurch after it declared bankruptcy in October.”
This is apparently not a joke. The parody conservative talk show host is asking his Colbert Nation to pony up the dough to support the Olympians. It’s win-win-win. Colbert gets the pub, the speedskaters get the dough, and people whose lives are empty get to part with a few dollars so they can feel like they are part of something bigger than them and not being manipulated in the slightest.
So what’s this got to do with Arsenal?
The shortest answer is: “Not much.” The slightly longer answer is that DSB Bank NV was also the shirt sponsor for AZ Alkmaar, Arsenal’s opponent in tomorrow’s Champions League tilt at the Emirates. The bankruptcy of the, er, bank caused the team to field a side on matchday 3 (also against Arsenal) sans shirt sponsor.
Colbert was going to step in to rescue AZ Alkmaar, but soccer is un-American, and the Dutch hate freedom.
Only one of those statements might be correct.
And AZ Alkmaar fancies themselves to be the Arsenal of Dutch football. Another tenuous connection for you.
I know I’m like 6 hours late on this (and likely in the wrong place), but the Olympics don’t allow ads on kits right? So I think these would have to be taken off for the games themselves. Hope too many people don’t buy in thinking they’ll see Colbert’s logo on NBC in February, when really these are just going to be worn at some meet in Oslo in January.
/Maybe I’m blatantly off base here.
No, pretty sure you’re right, Ryan. Think there are rules for other international events and sponsorships, but they are restrictive.