This news was followed by a report that the NFL decided (earlier this year) to allow NFL teams to sell sponsorship patches on their practice jerseys. Although these patches are only allowed on practice jerseys, it seems that the demand for this advertising space will be high. As Rovell notes, the biggest benefit for the companies may come from local TV stations that can't broadcast game footage and continually shows practice video. Supposedly, several teams are close to deals. Furthermore, teams will be allowed to sell advertising rights to a different sponsor if they make the postseason (I guess my Cincinnati Bengals won't have to worry about that strategy). This is a major move, as the NFL has always kept advertising separate from the uniforms. In addition, this is a chance for local teams to cash in on the NFL. When you think of NFL advertisers, you think of big companies - the beer companies, the car companies, the major players. Now the mom and pop store on the corner could try to take out an ad on the hometown team.

Of course, this is all building up to the big news of the week, which was that the Phoenix Mercury (of the WNBA) has sold their jersey naming rights to Lifelock. That is right ladies and gents, the team's jerseys will not say Phoenix or Mercury - the name of a company will be on the front of the jersey. And now all of my worst dreams have come true. In the pantheon of major American sports (which I don't consider the WNBA part of, sorry fans) the front of the jersey has been a sacred spot, reserved for the team's home city or its nickname. However, now that this can of worms has opened up, is a sponsor's name on the front of an NFL team's jersey that far away? I mean, they are selling ad space on practice jerseys - the next logical step is game jerseys. I just don't think Carson Palmer should take the field on Sundays looking like Jeff Gordon's car.

Perhaps you don't agree with my opinion, but that is why we have an area for you to comment. Discuss this amongst yourselves gang, but make sure to play nice.