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[dkphxf]

At some events, you're "required" to use only certain cups that correspond with the sponsoring company. For example, if Coke is a sponsor, you must use Powerade, Coke or Sprite cups. Any ethical qualms doing this?

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

You're not required to drink the courtesy beverages in the first place.

 

[Stitch]

At some events, you're "required" to use only certain cups that correspond with the sponsoring company. For example, if Coke is a sponsor, you must use Powerade, Coke or Sprite cups. Any ethical qualms doing this?

I'd like to comment, but I'm drinking a Coke right now.

But seriously, this is a thread?

 

[MartinonMTV2]

Just tape over them if they bother you.

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

At some events, you're "required" to use only certain cups that correspond with the sponsoring company. For example, if Coke is a sponsor, you must use Powerade, Coke or Sprite cups. Any ethical qualms doing this?

Nothing "free" about that. Those companies pay a lot of money for exclusivity.

 

[MrWrite]

At some events, you're "required" to use only certain cups that correspond with the sponsoring company. For example, if Coke is a sponsor, you must use Powerade, Coke or Sprite cups. Any ethical qualms doing this?

Good to see Roy Williams checking in here on the board.

(Seriously, though, Ol' Roy made no fewer than four mentions of the cup thing this weekend on the podium in Charlotte. Even brought his own cup up there and poured from one to the other before tossing it behind him. He is beyond ridiculous.)

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

I asked an NCAA rep about this. Here is his response: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who munches and sips under the blanket of the very hospitality I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I'd rather you just said 'Thank you' and went on your way."

 

[HanSenSE]

At some events, you're "required" to use only certain cups that correspond with the sponsoring company. For example, if Coke is a sponsor, you must use Powerade, Coke or Sprite cups. Any ethical qualms doing this?

Nothing "free" about that. Those companies pay a lot of money for exclusivity.

This.

If you feel a logo on a cup is going to corrupt you, you really ought to reexamine your standards. And to answer the next questions, I have no problem calling it the "Old Rotgut Greater Podunk Open," but at the same time can draw the line at "Podunk Youth Baseball would like to thank the following sposors for their support this season ..."

 

[MightyMouse]

I asked an NCAA rep about this. Here is his response: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who munches and sips under the blanket of the very hospitality I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I'd rather you just said 'Thank you' and went on your way."

That was pretty cool, JD. Well done.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

If it bothers you so much, then bring your own drink.

Now, if you do that, and someone objects because it's not the sponsor, remind them that this isn't North Korea.

 

[SoCalDude]

Way back when I was covering this stuff, they wouldn't allow you to bring a can or bottle of anything to press row. Had to be in an NCAA cup. I asked the guy how long he'd been with the Gestapo and he didn't like it too much.

 

[Flip Wilson]

Way back when I was covering this stuff, they wouldn't allow you to bring a can or bottle of anything to press row. Had to be in an NCAA cup. I asked the guy how long he'd been with the Gestapo and he didn't like it too much.

At the arena hosting two NCAA games today, where it's presently halftime of the second game, there is a stack of cups right beside the media entrance to courtside and a person watching for non-Powerade cups.

Really, doesn't make a difference to me, except it now means there are cups of drinks on press row and not water bottles with lids. Makes the chances of spills a lot greater. My only gripe.

 

[schiezainc]

Here's my question. Has there ever, in the entire history of sport, been an instance where someone, somewhere has gone "Gee, honey, you know, I didn't really feel like buying a powerade but look at that logo there. I suddenly have the urge to pick one up."

And, if that has happened, it is really a common enough occurrence to warrant the amount of money these brands pay?

 

[dirtybird]

Here's my question. Has there ever, in the entire history of sport, been an instance where someone, somewhere has gone "Gee, honey, you know, I didn't really feel like buying a powerade but look at that logo there. I suddenly have the urge to pick one up."

And, if that has happened, it is really a common enough occurrence to warrant the amount of money these brands pay?

I think it's about keeping up keeping up brand awareness. Cameras catch all those logos and the product continues to stay in the mind of consumers who see it.

At least I believe that's the theory

 

[reformedhack]

Cups aren't that big of a deal. It's not like they're making you wear a T-shirt or a cap (or a photographer's vest with logos all over it, as the NFL mandated in 2007).

And, as someone astutely pointed out, no one is making you accept the free beverage. Bring some duct tape or smuggle a water bottle inside your computer bag, and move on with life.

 

[slappy4428]

I asked an NCAA rep about this. Here is his response: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who munches and sips under the blanket of the very hospitality I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I'd rather you just said 'Thank you' and went on your way."

I see what you did there.

 

[zebracoy]

This always irritated me as well. I got to bringing one of those coffee warmth shields with me from the local gas station - it's nothing more than a plain brown wrap - to games to put on the cups, which I drank water out of. It's not necessarily an objectivity issue; it's just that I don't want to endorse any product I don't necessarily drink. (Why, I don't know. Honestly can't explain it.)

One of the schools I cover, though, gives out its media passes with a company logo on the lanyard, one at the bottom of the media badge itself "The 2010 season proudly sponsored by (Local foodmart)" and a third on the parking pass. I never wear that lanyard, and since the credential and parking pass were both black this year, electrical tape worked nicely.

 

[LevinTBlack]

This always irritated me as well. I got to bringing one of those coffee warmth shields with me from the local gas station - it's nothing more than a plain brown wrap - to games to put on the cups, which I drank water out of. It's not necessarily an objectivity issue; it's just that I don't want to endorse any product I don't necessarily drink. (Why, I don't know. Honestly can't explain it.)

One of the schools I cover, though, gives out its media passes with a company logo on the lanyard, one at the bottom of the media badge itself "The 2010 season proudly sponsored by (Local foodmart)" and a third on the parking pass. I never wear that lanyard, and since the credential and parking pass were both black this year, electrical tape worked nicely.

What kind of cookie do you want? The brand essentially pays to own that particular venue. If you break it that is breaking more of an ethical code to me. It's their building you must following their rules. You are there, sitting courtside, because they let you be. You aren't endorsing crap. Thinking you are, and that people care, by simply using a cup with a logo (or lanyard) makes me think you are pretty full of yourself. Probably going to far but seriously getting so uptight about a cup you use for free drinks provided by the team is pointless. No one looks at press row and cares what logo is on your cup. It's common sense that the cup is provided and you, yourself aren't endorsing anything.

 

[slappy4428]

At some events, you're "required" to use only certain cups that correspond with the sponsoring company. For example, if Coke is a sponsor, you must use Powerade, Coke or Sprite cups. Any ethical qualms doing this?

I'd like to comment, but I'm drinking a Coke right now.

But seriously, this is a thread?

Sadly.....

 

[Mystery Meat II]

I asked an NCAA rep about this. Here is his response: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who munches and sips under the blanket of the very hospitality I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I'd rather you just said 'Thank you' and went on your way."

You want Pepsi? YOU CAN'T HANDLE PEPSI