Well ble$$ their big PINK hearts!!!

[SoCal Cardfan]

The NFL claims that its pink philanthropy efforts "support the fight against breast cancer" by "promoting awareness" and providing funds to the American Cancer Society. But what they're mostly promoting is, uh, buying NFL gear, the profits from which are overwhelmingly pocketed by the NFL.
According to Business Insider, the NFL's October Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraising effort is multi-pronged. There's the on-field onslaught of pink (AWARENESS), the off-field auction of autographed or otherwise noteworthy NFL paraphernalia (MONEY FOR THE CURE!), and the part of the NFL store that entices shoppers to purchase officially licensed NFL breast cancer gear, a portion of which goes to FINDING A CURE. According to the League, 100% of the proceeds from the specialty auction go to the American Cancer Society, but the total percentage of purchases of officially licensed gear that actually goes to FINDING A CURE is actually kind of pathetic — 5%. If you want to look at this cynically, in a way, the on-field wearin' o' the pink serves as an ad to direct consumers to purchase pink fan items.

Full story:
http://jezebel.com/5950971/the-nfls...dium=recirculation&utm_campaign=recirculation

 

[52brandon]

can't say I'm terribly shocked. It's always about "what's in it for me?" I read a recent article where the Susan G. Komen foundation turned down donations from a porn website. Last I checked, USDs spend just the same, regardless of where they originated. You'd think they'd take every penny they could get...

 

[az1965]

I'm all for breast cancer awareness and support but hate the ugly pink all over the place. It hurts the eyes.

 

[Goldfield]

Good cause, but its a bit over board. The NFL should give 100% It can afford it.

 

[devilalum]

Is that 5% of profits or 5% of net sales?

 

[kerouac9]

Is that 5% of profits or 5% of net sales?

5% of the purchase price. I don't really have a problem with that. I'd bet that it's about an even profit split between the NFL and the charity.

Seriously: who's buying the pink cancer hats and shoes, anyway?

 

[Hollywood]

I am left wondering just how much the writer gives to breast cancer research. Since 5% obviously isn't enough I am sure she gives 10-20% of the money she makes writing this garbage.


The bottom line is that the NFL is not a charitable organization. It is required to give or raise $0.00 for charity. ANYTHING they do is just...well...charity. To complain that they have only given $3,000,000 is just sad. If they had given $5 is it $5 more than they had to give and $5 more for cancer treatment and research.

 

[Dr. Jones]

The margin on these products is insane. Just like buying Disney stuff in Disneyland.

They could easily give 15 to 20% and still be keeping another 35 to 40% margin for themselves.

And yes..... My first guess is that the average margin on NFL apparel is above 60%. Probably closer to 75%.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

so 100% of the auction and 5% of the total sales price in their store isn't enough?

they are a business

a month long promotion of a specific cause in a very obvious way

i believe the auctions generate around over $1M for donations ..... even if you increased the merchandise percentage the dollar amount wouldn't be that much more, simply because they don't sell all that much merchandise that is specific to breast cancer

not to mention that many teams have their own specific outreach during october and many players get in the spirit and donate or do events

seems like an odd thing for someone to complain about

 

[Mulli]

Whenever sports leagues or teams ask me to give money to charit, I always think to myself:

How about you give a little more and cover both of us.

 

[kerouac9]

The margin on these products is insane. Just like buying Disney stuff in Disneyland.

They could easily give 15 to 20% and still be keeping another 35 to 40% margin for themselves.

And yes..... My first guess is that the average margin on NFL apparel is above 60%. Probably closer to 75%.

Maybe margin on raw material and labor only, but the infrastructure that the NFL has in place is pretty crazy. And there are a lot of people getting a cut of those pies (Nike, the League, the individual Franchise, etc.)

BTW, this is a little OT, but did Nike purchase UnderArmour at some point and I didn't notice it? I see a number of players with UA gloves during the games, and the NFL is usually pretty uptight about letting non-licensed material get on the field.

 

[splitsecond]

This reminds me I need to buy a gray/pink hat.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Maybe margin on raw material and labor only, but the infrastructure that the NFL has in place is pretty crazy. And there are a lot of people getting a cut of those pies (Nike, the League, the individual Franchise, etc.)

BTW, this is a little OT, but did Nike purchase UnderArmour at some point and I didn't notice it? I see a number of players with UA gloves during the games, and the NFL is usually pretty uptight about letting non-licensed material get on the field.

The infrastructure would be there with or without the pink hats. This is incremental business done for three reasons IMO. To create a YOY sales spike, include more women as fans of the NFL, and to help out a good cause at the same time.

I am fine with them making a profit.... Just call a spade a spade. Of course... Who am I to judge. If the masses pay for it..... They will continue to raise prices on everything from Merchandise to Ticket prices.

I am guessing that sooner or later we will see others join suit. Other noble causes deserve a stage like this also. Autism comes to my mind immediately.

 

[kerouac9]

The infrastructure would be there with or without the pink hats. This is incremental business done for three reasons IMO. To create a YOY sales spike, include more women as fans of the NFL, and to help out a good cause at the same time.

I am fine with them making a profit.... Just call a spade a spade. Of course... Who am I to judge. If the masses pay for it..... They will continue to raise prices on everything from Merchandise to Ticket prices.

I am guessing that sooner or later we will see others join suit. Other noble causes deserve a stage like this also. Autism comes to my mind immediately.

Meh. The infrastucture is priced into all the products. They're not going to discount the pink hats because they're charitable/special. They have to get rid of all that inventory, as well. I don't really think that the pink hats are a huge revenue-booster. I've never seen anyone wearing a pink breast cancer hat, and I'm more likely to see a woman wearing a pink fashion jersey.

Really, it's difficult for me to imagine that breast cancer awareness can be any higher. This is a nice partnership for the NFL--who does a ton of charitable work through United Way and others--but do you really imagine there are a lot of women out there who are like, "Hey, pink cleats! I'm going to follow the NFL for the rest of my life!"

 

[MadCardDisease]

BTW, this is a little OT, but did Nike purchase UnderArmour at some point and I didn't notice it? I see a number of players with UA gloves during the games, and the NFL is usually pretty uptight about letting non-licensed material get on the field.

UnderArmour has always been anti-Nike as far as I know.

Didn't Tom Brady (Big UnderArmour endorser) cover up the Nike swoosh during a press conference recently?

 

[Dr. Jones]

Meh. The infrastucture is priced into all the products. They're not going to discount the pink hats because they're charitable/special. They have to get rid of all that inventory, as well. I don't really think that the pink hats are a huge revenue-booster. I've never seen anyone wearing a pink breast cancer hat, and I'm more likely to see a woman wearing a pink fashion jersey.

Really, it's difficult for me to imagine that breast cancer awareness can be any higher. This is a nice partnership for the NFL--who does a ton of charitable work through United Way and others--but do you really imagine there are a lot of women out there who are like, "Hey, pink cleats! I'm going to follow the NFL for the rest of my life!"

Do I have a ton of evidence? No. I can tell you that I have seen a ton of pink hats though.

And from my personal experience. The first Motorola Razr phone came in Silver and Black when it launched around 2003 or 4. When the Pink version came out for AT&T it accounted for $22 million in additional sales & service revenue (it was priced $100 higher) for the NE Region in 3 small months.

They didn't just make this Pink stuff to raise awareness. Chicks dig Pink in a major way bro.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Chicks dig Pink in a major way bro.

I thought chicks dug scars.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I thought chicks dug scars.

Well.... There is a list of priorities somewhere I guess.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Do I have a ton of evidence? No. I can tell you that I have seen a ton of pink hats though.

And from my personal experience. The first Motorola Razr phone came in Silver and Black when it launched around 2003 or 4. When the Pink version came out for AT&T it accounted for $22 million in additional sales & service revenue (it was priced $100 higher) for the NE Region in 3 small months.

They didn't just make this Pink stuff to raise awareness. Chicks dig Pink in a major way bro.

there is a difference between an accessory and an outfit

there are also fashion pieces that are completely separate and have been out for a long time - these will eat into potential sales of the awareness items

the bulk of their donations come from the auction - even if they increased the percentage on the sales it would be a smaller aspect of the total bucket because the revenue generated just isn't that much in comparison

not to mention it's pretty bad form to say "well you are giving our cause a 3 hour promotion in all major markets for the most watched television program in the nation, you have specialty auctions that contribute over $1M to our cause and you have special clothes that are co-branded from which we receive 5% of the sales price ........ but we think we should receive 25% of the sales price and you guys are just trying to win female fans and help promote your own brand, so on the sum you suck"

 

[Dr. Jones]

not to mention it's pretty bad form to say "well you are giving our cause a 3 hour promotion in all major markets for the most watched television program in the nation, you have specialty auctions that contribute over $1M to our cause and you have special clothes that are co-branded from which we receive 5% of the sales price ........ but we think we should receive 25% of the sales price and you guys are just trying to win female fans and help promote your own brand, so on the sum you suck"

Didn't think anyone was saying that. But I get your point.

 

[Rivercard]

There are a lot of financial incentives in place to not cure cancer. Who can say no to supporting the cause?

 

[Shane]

It hurts the eyes.

Please tell me this a gross over exaggeration?? If you feel pain in your eyes while watching TV because of a little pink you may want to get them checked.

 

[az1965]

Please tell me this a gross over exaggeration?? If you feel pain in your eyes while watching TV because of a little pink you may want to get them checked.

Obviously it was figuritively used... and it is this ugly pink all over the screen, not just "little" pink. My eyes are fine but you had to be smartass about it.

 

[Mulli]

 

[Shane]

Obviously it was figuritively used... and it is this ugly pink all over the screen, not just "little" pink. My eyes are fine but you had to be smartass about it.

Not being a smartass at all. You said that it hurts your eyes. Nothing indicating it was a joke.