That was fiction (although many parts of HfRO "exposed" some facts that those in the Navy had assumed all along were secret, and Clancy had to prove to US Naval Institute (his publisher - their first bestseller) were public knowledge). The Toshiba deal is fact.
US Soccer and Volkswagen
- Thread starter timbuck
- Start date
That was fiction (although many parts of HfRO "exposed" some facts that those in the Navy had assumed all along were secret, and Clancy had to prove to US Naval Institute (his publisher - their first bestseller) were public knowledge). The Toshiba deal is fact.
You are not wrong on any part of that history. Yes, the war is over. Today, Americans and Germans are connected as part of a global economy. Surf parents own VW stock. FRAM's halftime snack is sauerbraten. Legends' fathers wear lederhosen. Slammers mothers coif their armpits in ancient Teutonic fashion.
But I don't buy the "sins of the father" argument. You wouldn't put the Confederate Flag on the US national uniform, even though nobody alive today fought in the Civil War. That would send the wrong message, and the passage of time since the Civil War doesn't change that. I feel the same way about the VW logo.
Lots of comments that I expected.
I'm no fan of a German company sponsoring our US National Team.
Here is an excerpt from the press release:
“We are extremely excited to work together with Volkswagen to help us continue to grow soccer in the United States,” said Flynn. “Volkswagen will be one of the most active and visible partners U.S. Soccer has ever had, providing us with additional resources for more programs that can impact and help develop the sport, while also allowing us to reach more fans of the game across the country. We look forward to the next four years together as we drive towards our mission of becoming the preeminent sport in the United States.”
As part of the historic partnership, Volkswagen will have branding on training tops for all U.S. Soccer National Teams, including the Men’s and Women’s National Teams, all Youth National Teams and the Para 7-a-side, Beach and Futsal National Teams, and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. "
I highlighted the areas that I am curious about.
1. How much did VW pay? Who else was submitted competing bids? Does anyone at the exec level of US Soccer and/or SUM have any position at VW?
2. How will that money be allocated?
3. What "additional resources for more programs"? What resources? What programs?
4. You are gonna have the DA Youth teams wearing a logo? I certainly hope that one of the "resources for programs" is that all DA players are able to play for free.
How long has Volkswagen cared about soccer in the US? They had some "cute" commercials during the World Cup. But only the first 10,000 times that I saw them. Then they became annoying by the 2nd week.
I get that we are now a global economy and that VW may provide a lot of jobs for Americans. I just would have really liked to have seen an "American" brand name on the jersey of our National Team.
Auto: Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler (or any of their sub brands - GMC, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, etc).
Retail: Home Depot, Target, Wal-Mart
Technology: Google, Cisco, ATT, Microsoft, etc
Banking: Bank of America, Wells Fargo (I guess they are Mexico fans - boooo!!!)
Airlines: United, American, Southwest
OR what about a just a big giant NIKE symbol?
All of these make way more sense (to me) than Volkswagen.
I'm no fan of a German company sponsoring our US National Team.
Here is an excerpt from the press release:
“We are extremely excited to work together with Volkswagen to help us continue to grow soccer in the United States,” said Flynn. “Volkswagen will be one of the most active and visible partners U.S. Soccer has ever had, providing us with additional resources for more programs that can impact and help develop the sport, while also allowing us to reach more fans of the game across the country. We look forward to the next four years together as we drive towards our mission of becoming the preeminent sport in the United States.”
As part of the historic partnership, Volkswagen will have branding on training tops for all U.S. Soccer National Teams, including the Men’s and Women’s National Teams, all Youth National Teams and the Para 7-a-side, Beach and Futsal National Teams, and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. "
I highlighted the areas that I am curious about.
1. How much did VW pay? Who else was submitted competing bids? Does anyone at the exec level of US Soccer and/or SUM have any position at VW?
2. How will that money be allocated?
3. What "additional resources for more programs"? What resources? What programs?
4. You are gonna have the DA Youth teams wearing a logo? I certainly hope that one of the "resources for programs" is that all DA players are able to play for free.
How long has Volkswagen cared about soccer in the US? They had some "cute" commercials during the World Cup. But only the first 10,000 times that I saw them. Then they became annoying by the 2nd week.
I get that we are now a global economy and that VW may provide a lot of jobs for Americans. I just would have really liked to have seen an "American" brand name on the jersey of our National Team.
Auto: Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler (or any of their sub brands - GMC, Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, etc).
Retail: Home Depot, Target, Wal-Mart
Technology: Google, Cisco, ATT, Microsoft, etc
Banking: Bank of America, Wells Fargo (I guess they are Mexico fans - boooo!!!)
Airlines: United, American, Southwest
OR what about a just a big giant NIKE symbol?
All of these make way more sense (to me) than Volkswagen.
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Chrysler is now a subsidiary of a Dutch company.
Yeah- but they made the LeBaron and the Córdoba. So they get a pass for life.
You don't have to look too closely at the Mississippi state flag to see the similarity --
Multi Sport
DA
And those are such typical American names..
We are really stretching for something to be offended about....smh. Where does it end?
1. The 2018 VW Atlas SUV we bought is a POS. So my vote is NO.
2. Zildjian Cymbals is one of the world's oldest family businesses. Over 400 years. Originated in Constantinople..what is now Turkey. Been in the US since 1929. Is that American enough?? Still family owned/run. I'm sure there'd be some haters who don't like the way the logo looks. Probably too middle-eastern looking for some given the current War on Terror etc. etc. (I'm very thankful for the L80 line of noise-reducing cymbals they make. Makes listening to my son smash those things much easier given the reduced noise.)
But yes it's true..you can't hold current VW accountable for what happened decades ago. I'm sure if my grandfather was alive today he wouldn't have an issue with this. He flew 30 missions in a B-17 in the European Theater of WWII fighting the Nazis. I highly doubt he'd be holding a grudge and be against seeing that logo on the front of any of his great-grandkid's jerseys.
I am curious though to see how much work US Soccer put into trying to secure an American-made company on the front of the jersey.
Anheuser-Busch would've been another cool choice. Born in America over 160yrs ago. Until they sold out to a Euro company.
2. Zildjian Cymbals is one of the world's oldest family businesses. Over 400 years. Originated in Constantinople..what is now Turkey. Been in the US since 1929. Is that American enough?? Still family owned/run. I'm sure there'd be some haters who don't like the way the logo looks. Probably too middle-eastern looking for some given the current War on Terror etc. etc. (I'm very thankful for the L80 line of noise-reducing cymbals they make. Makes listening to my son smash those things much easier given the reduced noise.
)But yes it's true..you can't hold current VW accountable for what happened decades ago. I'm sure if my grandfather was alive today he wouldn't have an issue with this. He flew 30 missions in a B-17 in the European Theater of WWII fighting the Nazis. I highly doubt he'd be holding a grudge and be against seeing that logo on the front of any of his great-grandkid's jerseys.
I am curious though to see how much work US Soccer put into trying to secure an American-made company on the front of the jersey.
Anheuser-Busch would've been another cool choice. Born in America over 160yrs ago. Until they sold out to a Euro company.
VW has previously sponsored MLS teams, VW also owns a soccer team in Germany, VW was also a main advertiser with Fox for the last World Cup. When selling "sponsorship" deals, the first step in getting maximum value for the sponsoree is to articulate the value proposition. There are only a handful of companies that understand and/or buy-in to the value proposition for US Soccer (NFL, MLB, NBA are entirely different propositions).
VW is one of a just a few companies that have buy-in when it comes to soccer. Then we have to look at what other companies already have deals or are acceptable to US Soccer. Alcohol producers may/may not fly as the "Presenting Sponsor" on the jersey's of the U15/U17/U20 teams.
The other great thing about VW is they F'ed up big time and were fined billions by the US Government very recently for that whole diesel thing. VW is looking for a win in the US. I believe that VW was probably willing to overpay the true value of the sponsorship given its existing buy-in to the sport AND its desperate need to generate some goodwill with the US public.
VW is one of a just a few companies that have buy-in when it comes to soccer. Then we have to look at what other companies already have deals or are acceptable to US Soccer. Alcohol producers may/may not fly as the "Presenting Sponsor" on the jersey's of the U15/U17/U20 teams.
The other great thing about VW is they F'ed up big time and were fined billions by the US Government very recently for that whole diesel thing. VW is looking for a win in the US. I believe that VW was probably willing to overpay the true value of the sponsorship given its existing buy-in to the sport AND its desperate need to generate some goodwill with the US public.
... and you have this:
https://www.motor1.com/news/270043/vw-sales-down-due-wltp/
I suspect that US Soccer / SUM probably got the best deal on the table given VW's current situation.
https://www.motor1.com/news/270043/vw-sales-down-due-wltp/
I suspect that US Soccer / SUM probably got the best deal on the table given VW's current situation.
OrangeCountyDad
SILVER ELITE
VW directly employs ~8,000 American workers, plus indirectly everyone at the ~1,000 dealerships nationwide. There are few 'pure' American companies to support our national teams, and if no one is stepping up with the sponsorship the Federation believes we need, do they trim the program? Shut down teams? Reduce staff?
Multi Sport
DA
Is Ford American enough?
VW and Ford just announced a joint venture to build cars together. Maybe they can put a Ford logo on the sleeve.
Will that mean USMNT will be better now?
VW and Ford just announced a joint venture to build cars together. Maybe they can put a Ford logo on the sleeve.
Will that mean USMNT will be better now?
jpeter
PREMIER
There are literally thousands of american based companies that employ thousands of people each so instead of sticking to America first let's go with a foreign multi national instead.
Cutting programs? Why? they are sitting on 100mil+ in excess revenue as it is. Expanding program perhaps but that could have been done with any sponsorship.
Selling a larger ulgy spot on the front of jesery's so kids can advertise for them is not something I really support. MLS clubs are going to say no thanks anyway since they have other licensing deals that would conflict but the others and national teams are now branded with that huge fugly logo for the next x number of years. The logo is about 4x the size of the usa one on the jeserys for example.
I generally don't agree with much that US Soccer does but I think this is a good move for the most part. A not-for-profit's (yes we can argue about that when you consider the relationship with SUM) primary responsibility is fundraising. I think partnering with an iconic brand (with an iconic logo) committed to soccer is a good thing. While the Nazi objection seems far fetched given VW of 2019, I do understand the sentiment for the preference for an American company. US Soccer's PR is horrendous so they might not thought that one all the way through, but if the price was right I can't fault them.
I have to ask, is there any car more representative of SoCal culture than a 60's VW? Maybe I'm biased because my first car was a '69 Squareback and I have a loosely held belief that everyone's first car should be a VW. I give credit to VW for bringing an affordable car to the masses...the people's car.
My biggest concern is what US Soccer is going to do with the money. They're track record of failing to invest in youth soccer is a big issue as to why we can't develop world class players.
I have to ask, is there any car more representative of SoCal culture than a 60's VW? Maybe I'm biased because my first car was a '69 Squareback and I have a loosely held belief that everyone's first car should be a VW. I give credit to VW for bringing an affordable car to the masses...the people's car.
My biggest concern is what US Soccer is going to do with the money. They're track record of failing to invest in youth soccer is a big issue as to why we can't develop world class players.
Like the MLS sponsorship by Audi?
jpeter
PREMIER
No the MLS "Audi" playoffs and player index is not the USA national team or youth academy and they don't wear a huge Audi logo on the front of there jeserys either with maybe DC United the one expection since they are directly sponsored by VW not indirectly.
One team one nation and oh by they way one German mutlti national company.
Them why don’t you complain to Chevy for sponsoring a foreign Soccer team over the US National Team??No the MLS "Audi" playoffs and player index is not the USA national team or youth academy and they don't wear a huge Audi logo on the front of there jeserys either with maybe DC United the one expection since they are directly sponsored by VW not indirectly.
One team one nation and oh by they way one German mutlti national company.
Messi>CR7
GOLD
Other than the ugliness (size, placement) of it, I don't think many would find it offensive. What's offensive is losing to Trinidad and Tobago when everything was on the line. The design of the jersey is the least of our problems.