Everyday professional sports are played around the world. For some of these professional teams, millions of fans follow them with a relentless fervor. All of these teams sport matching jerseys in every single contest in which they compete. Not only do these jerseys identify specific teams, but they also identify geographic region, and in most cases the emblem of the companies that created the jerseys, and the logo of those who sponsor the teams.
The people who wear a player’s jersey are putting forth an idea to those around them that follows the receiver’s, person looking at the one wearing the jersey, idea about that player. Thus, depending on which player’s jersey one may be wearing, the connotation surrounding that jersey varies not only with geographic area, but with personality variations as well.
Moreover, player’s names are almost always displayed with their last name only on the back of their jersey. In “Media Society” by Croteau and Hoynes, they write that “research has demonstrated that dominants are more commonly referred to by their last names” (215). This idea is absolutely fostered in part by sports as all players display their last names on their jerseys that millions of people wear worldwide. These athletes that millions of people idolize generate tens of millions of dollars in our economy every year. With that in mind, the power of the name on the back of the jersey is undeniable. Check out a news story on Lebron James' jersey sales outlook after being signed by the Miami Heat:
I actually agree! But I also feel that jerseys contribute a lot to how and why we stereotype people. If someone wears real madrid jersey and takes to a south American Im sure they will become instant friends.
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog, I think that wearing jerseys has developed almost a cult like following. Not only is it a multi-million dollar industry that fuels franchised sports, but it creates a community around sporting events. I thought it was crazy that people were burning Lebron's jersey after he decided to leave Cleveland. It was a symbol of how intense sports fans are in this country and how much a jersey can symbolize.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating topic. Great linkage with the Media/Society book. I love the Lebron James' clip at the end as well.
ReplyDeleteClothes are such significant signs of our identity. There is a facinating lecture going on in MIT on monday nights--exclusive about clothing and the environment; go check it out:
http://visualarts.mit.edu/about/lecture.html
This is a great medium because many people wear jerseys but may not always consider the message behind them. This makes me think of sportsmanship and ethics within professional sports. Players can get caught up in the game and forget that their actions reflect on the team they play for, their familys name, and where they are from. Their games are televised and shown through media and the jersey they wear is a strong medium that reflects an idea about them. People admire professional athletes and show this by wearing their jersey. This shows that they support the actions and messages of media behind the jersey.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a great way to represent the teams you love and the places you are from. I cant wait for my LeBron Jersey to get here so i can represent my hometown Miami Heat. It defenitely is a medium because it promotes the team as well as the plaers brand.
ReplyDeleteEvery single week I sign onto the club fan page of Manchester United and watch as I follow their game. Through the many years since I have started watching soccer, many things have changed. One of the most important would probably be the importance of representation in the current world. In the years before, the logo on the fron (the team's name or symbol) always took a stronger force than the name at the back (the player's name). But over the years things have alternated and individuality became more important compared to the team. Is there something wrong with this? How have we as a community changed over time?
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