by J Hutcherson | May 4th, 2006
Anybody else remember the story that had Hummel coming into Major League Soccer with upscale retro jerseys? The ones that would be their impression of what retro might have looked like if MLS had existed prior to 1996? Obviously, this never happened. The most we got out of the Hummel connection before the adidas takeover was that charming story featuring Steve Jolley and his banned $400 dollar shoes.
That’s probably a good thing in retrospect, because it’s saved us from what quickly became the scourge of just about every other pro sport in this country - official retro.
Forgive me those of you that like the occasional throwback jersey or cap circa some time not the present. That’s not the point here. Fair play to the third party manufacturers who created that market and the players, celebrities, and fans who decided it was just for them. Yes, Jay-Z killed actually wearing them in public with one line from November 2003’s “What more can I say?” How fashion aware you are is all on you, but that’s a big reason why the throwback sections significantly decreased and the pro players who had hundreds started finding them new homes.
Instead, it’s the institutions that decided to co-opt a fairly basic idea and turn it into yet another tired trend that might have already joined beanie babies, bobble heads, and trucker hats in the dustbin of sports promotion.
There’s a reason that a logo or uniform change is supposed to result in the old stuff ending up at Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Well, there are a couple of reasons and one of them has to do with you parting with your money for the new stuff. But we’re all in on that. As exploitive as it is, no North American pro team needed to be told ala English soccer that you have to keep your designs for longer than a single season.
Instead, the retro concept got caught up with the general trend across sports towards specialty jerseys as money spinner. Designate a day, say Friday in Baltimore or Sunday in Los Angeles, pick a color, and you’re set. If you’re the NBA, pick a holiday, retro nights, and you’ve moved from an inventory of two choices to four or five. All official, all available at the retail outlets.
Major League Soccer deserves a lot of credit for resisting the urge. MLS clubs have done one-offs, but they’re usually just that and auctioned after the games for charity. After years of changeable identities when it comes to color schemes and designs, MLS gets it in a way that a lot of pro leagues don’t.
Aside from getting to watch Clint Mathis model a uniform he would never wear in a game, the MLS/adidas launch at the 2006 draft was somewhat disappointing. Nothing all that distinct compared to what came before. But a month into the season, and MLS as a whole might have never looked better.
There’s weight to one main shirt with the away as an option, rather than trying for multiple identities and multiple sales. Colorado’s rip-off of Inter Milan actually looks authentic now that the Metros rip-off of AC no longer exists. LA’s sash actually looks planned. Even Red Bull New York isn’t as odd as it looked on opening day.
Considering how bad some of the other leagues look - and that all of them have one league-wide supplier - you have to wonder.
What I’m Watching
Manchester City - Arsenal live at 2:30pm on Fox Soccer Channel and Espanol, and Racing Santander - Real Madrid live on GolTV at 4pm give us yet another weekday of live soccer. Espanol picks up the nighttime audience with a Libertadores triple-bill: Libertad - Tigres live at 6pm, Corinthians - River Plate live at 8:30pm, and Goias - Estudiantes de La Plata same day at 11pm. More MFL playoffs as well, with Monarcas - Pachuca live on Azteca at 8pm and Chivas - Jaguares same day on TeleFutura at 10pm. All Times Eastern
Quote Of The Day
“We have a €200m [£137.213m] turnover and Chelsea, who as everyone knows are owned by Roman Abramovich, have [a comparable] turnover [of £146.60m]. We make a €35m profit; this is required for our investment. Chelsea lost €204m; Mr Abramovich obviously stumped up for it. This [makes for] unequal competition but we are playing against each other in the Champions League. This is not acceptable.” Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Europe
Bung-busters quest only lasts 15 minutes — from The Telegraph’s Mihir Bose. Registration Required
No hysteria over Teesside history man — from The Times’ George Cauklin.
Something about Steve: Manager ready for a stint of national service — from The Independent’s Sam Wallace.
Scolari’s pride and prejudice were a headline in waiting — from The Guardian’s Nicky Campbell.
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: USA
Revolution’s Dempsey revels — from The Boston Globe’s Frank Dell’Apa.
Ching’s improvement an inspirational story — from The Houston Chronicle’s Glenn Davis.
Tax hike could be the only way to save the plan — from The Salt Lake Tribune’s Derek P. Jensen.
Big Picture
James carries the fight against Wizards’ might — from The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Bill Livingston.
Knicks shopping for K-Mart — from The NEw York Daily News’ Frank Isola.
Unhappy Bogut says changes need to be made — from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Charles F. Gardner.
Barkley Tells of Big Gambling Losses — from The LA Times’ Larry Stewart. Registration Required
After 17 Months, Baseball Introduces Nats’ Owners — from The Washington Post’s Thomas Heath and David Nakamura. Registration Required
Other bidders sad but gracious — from The Washington Times’ Thom Loverro.
Bonds Stung by Ball, Not Selig’s Absence — from The New York Times’ Jack Curry. Registration Required
New helmet’s not so cool to Chipper — from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Guy Curtright.
Perspectives mixed on ‘Golden Boy’ legacy — from ESPN’s Michael Rosenthal.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.