Gotta love it when the worlds of sports and politics combine ... I mean at least our founding fathers had enough sense to try and separate church and state, right? Perhaps this news isn't that big of a deal, but I thought it funny that we now have the Chicago White Sox releasing a special Barack Obama hat.That's right, the Chicago White Sox are fashioning a new hat based on their top fan in chief, President Obama. The Sox (not to be confused with the Sawx, don't bother me Boston fans) are going to release two special edition hats with Obama tributes on the back and the side of the cap.
This article from the Sports Buisness Journal notes that the two prototype designs have been approved by MLB properties and the Southsiders are just waiting for approval from the White House before sending the designs to New Era. The hats would be available at official league and club outlets (i.e. the team's stadium stores and MLB.com), but a wider release could be in the cards.
Before we go mocking the White Sox for trying to make a quick buck, it stands to note that the proceeds of the hat sales are earmarked for charity. It is refreshing to see Whie Sox Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Brooks Boyer note, "We don't want to be overly opportunistic and exploit this [Obama's Sox fandom]." Many believed that there may be more Obama-related Sox promotions, but it certainly seems like that may not happen.
Interestingly, President Obama has turned down the White Sox offers of a new cap, as some have described the Sox hat he doffed on the campaign trail as "tattered." (Note: I don't think this is the case, I believe he is sporting a Sox franchise model ... but that is just this blogger's opinion.) I say "interestingly" because sales of Sox hats have increased 25% compared to a year ago according to the Sports Business Journal article.
The White Sox could be the first in a long line of entities trying to capitalize on the popularity/pop-culture-icon status of our latest Commander in Chief ... we shall see.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-27-2009 @ 10:39PM
Brent Schmidt said...
Can't wait to be in Chicago in 12 days. So I can kick Comiskey for beating my Angels back in 05... lol.