No more names on jumpers: AFL

[Cmarsh]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-07-18/numbers-up-names-off

"THE AFL will not introduce player surnames as a permanent feature on guernseys, with the lack of space available on jumpers presenting "practical limitations".
Fans reacted positively to a round five trial of the concept, but the League has decided not to change the traditional look of AFL jumpers.
General manager of commercial operations Darren Birch said the concept was good in theory but the trial earlier this season highlighted hurdles in making it work.
"The unique cut of AFL guernseys restricts the size of lettering that can be used and this in turn limits the legibility of the player names for fans at the ground, and to a lesser extent, for those watching on television or via other media channels," Birch said.
"There is only limited space available on the back of match day guernseys for suitably sized names due to player numbers, club acronyms and sponsor logos.
"The trial demonstrated that while the concept of player names might be a good one in theory, in practice it does not work as well as we would like."

 

[Black Diamond]

Good.

 

[JimmyBeerCans]

In other words "yes it looked crap lets move on"

 

[rumply]

wot? wasnt if they were cluttered in anyway

 

[port_adelaide_1870]

I am upset with this- said no one ever

 

[Upgrayedd]

We could use that space for more advertising

 

[Despair]

I blame Lewis Roberts-Thomson.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

I didn't mind the names on there. Not particularly upset if they don't do it again though.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

I blame Lewis Roberts-Thomson.

If the Sri Lankan cricket team can do it...

 

[estibador]

Look at all you corporate sheep - happy to have your club's jumper desecrated with tacky advertising but kick up a stink about player names.

 

[The King!]

of course it didnt work with sevens SD coverage

 

[2010premier]

Well I know I am the minority here but I reckon its a mistake. The names on jerseys IMO assisted new supporters of the game to learn some of the players. There is a reason why most other sports do it

 

[Moo]

Look at all you corporate sheep - happy to have your club's jumper desecrated with tacky advertising but kick up a stink about player names.

So you're saying we should charge the players for having their name on the jumper......interesting concept.

 

[JUBJUB]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-07-18/numbers-up-names-off

"THE AFL will not introduce player surnames as a permanent feature on guernseys, with the lack of space available on jumpers presenting "practical limitations".

They need to try it during a game to find this out ?
Geez,what numbnuts do we have running the AFL ?

 

[grimface_87]

We could use that space for more advertising

Probably the main reason. Reserve it for future club sponsors

 

[Cmarsh]

When this trial first came out, a lot on BF said it was obviously to sell more merch. Looks like the AFL aren't as money hungry as some may think.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Well I know I am the minority here but I reckon its a mistake. The names on jerseys IMO assisted new supporters of the game to learn some of the players. There is a reason why most other sports do it

Yes: to sell merchandise. And then sell more merchandise when the player changes teams.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

They need to try it during a game to find this out ?
Geez,what numbnuts do we have running the AFL ?

Especially when the warm-up shirts for most (possibly all?) teams have the surnames on already and could obviously give the league a clear indication of whether it would have worked or not.

 

[KissKiss]

Think this is a mistake but it would have to come at the expense of the advertising otherwise it does get too cluttered. And there is no way they are getting rid of sponsership

 

[rumply]

Look at all you corporate sheep - happy to have your club's jumper desecrated with tacky advertising but kick up a stink about player names.

maybe one day we'll get there, wont hold my breath tho

 

[KissKiss]

maybe one day we'll get there, wont hold my breath tho

Is one thing the American Sports seem to do way better than us at the moment

 

[rumply]

Well I know I am the minority here but I reckon its a mistake. The names on jerseys IMO assisted new supporters of the game to learn some of the players. There is a reason why most other sports do it

Agree, but the advertising had to go, cant have both.

 

[scotty13]

Good Call.
No need for the names, at the ground you can't see them anyway, on TV the commentators tell you who the player is (unless they are too busy talking about themselves)

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

I'd rather have the name of the player than the name of the sponsor. that's for sure.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

maybe one day we'll get there, wont hold my breath tho

Actually, it's more likely to be going the other way. NBA has experimented with sleeved jerseys for that exact reason and it's expected to be just a matter of time before they have logos on the uniforms.