The Game Jerseys, Logos, Mock Ups, Photos ANYTHING

[MugaB]

There is little doubt that clubs could (and previously have) commanded more per key position back when there were less advertising spots on the jerseys.

The battle you'll have however is for those clubs who have good commercial teams (ie. Rabbitohs, Broncos, Storm) they would push back on any reduction of sponsor spots because they have been able to extract good dollars for every one of them and won't be prepared to just let it go, whilst for the clubs that struggle to sell (ie. Dragons, Manly, Bulldogs, Sharks) they'll push back as it makes their job harder.

Most clubs set themselves a target of $2m+ in revenue from kit sponsorship these days. For some clubs like Brisbane or Souths, they get more than half of this in just the front of jersey sponsor, whilst others, like when the Bulldogs first signed Laundy, are more around the $600K mark (I'm sure the renewal is at a higher rate, but I doubt it's at or above $1m), meaning they need the likes of sternum, lower back, etc to get close to their targets.

Not saying it's right, but this is the battle. The fact AFL has strict standards both on what can be sold, but as well size & experience of commercial teams, and gives grants / fund proportionally to help lift minimum standards pays off nicely for them. We can thank John Grant for throwing out that concept to try and keep his spot on the Commission.

I dont think we need to scale it back, just reduce the size of the major sponsors, some of them take over the whole design of a jersey, it's advertising yes, but it harm's the merch sales if it takes away from design, i feel like the jerseys need to get approval from the ARLC before rolling out some if the garbage that gets put out, it can hurt thr overall branding of the NRL

 

[Reflector]

I would love to know the difference in money earned between the big ugly sponsor logos we have and what they could get if the NRL mandated size limits and integration requirements. I can't imagine the difference would be that significant, and if every team had to play by the same rules it wouldn't be a competitive disadvantage.

So many jerseys are eyesores, some are just plain painful to look at. How much have team incomes ballooned from TV rights over the years? Surely a small haircut on jersey sponsors wouldn't bankrupt anyone. American sports do just fine without plastering ugly sponsors all over jerseys. Some will say that's not a fair comparison because of the enormous income they earn in other ways. Ok but then the AFL is as close as it gets to comparing apples and apples and they haven't had to sacrifice clean jerseys.

So there is no excuse. Whatever relatively small percentage of overall team income that is contributed by giving sponsors a free for all to put whatever crap logo they want is not worth it. The game would survive and thrive without it.

Mandate limitations on jersey sponsors!

I agree- the lax standards in sponsor placement/ positioning on the uniforms is not just an eyesore in many cases, but it also makes the NRL look more unprofessional, like a strapped-for-cash bush league that will put your name anywhere for a few bucks.

It's no coincidence that I could tell you every teams' major jersey sponsor from 1995 (when there were 20 teams) but struggle to tell you every team's front/ back of jersey sponsor now. And the sternum sponsors, based on how frequently they change, indicate to me that the companies in question are not getting a worthwhile return on those unsightly patches in the middle of the chest area where the manufacturers' logo used to appear.

I would regulate jersey sponsorships as follows:

1x major front of jersey sponsor- integrated whenever this is an option
1x sleeve sponsor on each side, regulated to be no bigger than a certain size
1x lower back of jersey sponsor
Upper back of jersey reserved for players last name, applied in standardised NRL approved font

Not only would this create a more consistent (and professional) look, it would also allow clubs to command higher pricing for sponsorship on the jerseys due to the limitations, which (in turn) means only bigger/ more established brands can afford advertising space.

Leave the smaller-time players for the shorts/ training gear etc.

 

[Santino Patane]

I agree- the lax standards in sponsor placement/ positioning on the uniforms is not just an eyesore in many cases, but it also makes the NRL look more unprofessional, like a strapped-for-cash bush league that will put your name anywhere for a few bucks.

It's no coincidence that I could tell you every teams' major jersey sponsor from 1995 (when there were 20 teams) but struggle to tell you every team's front/ back of jersey sponsor now. And the sternum sponsors, based on how frequently they change, indicate to me that the companies in question are not getting a worthwhile return on those unsightly patches in the middle of the chest area where the manufacturers' logo used to appear.

I would regulate jersey sponsorships as follows:

1x major front of jersey sponsor- integrated whenever this is an option
1x sleeve sponsor on each side, regulated to be no bigger than a certain size
1x lower back of jersey sponsor
Upper back of jersey reserved for players last name, applied in standardised NRL approved font

Not only would this create a more consistent (and professional) look, it would also allow clubs to command higher pricing for sponsorship on the jerseys due to the limitations, which (in turn) means only bigger/ more established brands can afford advertising space.

Leave the smaller-time players for the shorts/ training gear

Despite agreeing with you that your measures would greatly improve kit aesthetics, I think the problem with this is that most (if not all) clubs lack the clout to raise the same revenue under these guidelines. We are too small a fish in too big a pond. My problem is that I can’t see any realistic solution out of this situation…….

 

[Perth Red]

I’d limit it to chest sponsor and arm sponsor. It looks unprofessional and a mess at the moment. make them premium and raise the money that way.

 

[Nuke]

I grew up in the 80s and 90s, so maybe I'm a bit biased, but I like the balance the 1990s had for kit sponsors:

* Major sponsor (front and upper-back)
* Sleeve sponsor (both sleeves)
* Shorts sponsor

All the others were on training shirts, ect.

 

[Reflector]

I grew up in the 80s and 90s, so maybe I'm a bit biased, but I like the balance the 1990s had for kit sponsors:

* Major sponsor (front and upper-back)
* Sleeve sponsor (both sleeves)
* Shorts sponsor

All the others were on training shirts, ect.

Exactly, and each clubs' major sponsor commanded premium exposure. Having a sternum sponsor and then two different back of jersey sponsors just dilutes the brand association of the major (front of jersey) sponsor.

 

[kdalymc]

I grew up in the 80s and 90s, so maybe I'm a bit biased, but I like the balance the 1990s had for kit sponsors:

* Major sponsor (front and upper-back)
* Sleeve sponsor (both sleeves)
* Shorts sponsor

All the others were on training shirts, ect.

i remember when i first seen a sponsor on the lower back , was like WTFFFFFF

 

[Nuke]

I remember they started doing lower back sponsors just after the Eels and Knights had 'Parramatta' and 'Newcastle' respectively written there as part of the jersey designs (that I loved). Then sponsors were plastered over those spots on all NRL jerseys and I was disappointed. Might have been around 2004?

 

[yakstorm]

Eels started it in 2004 with their ISC gradient kit.


Newcastle followed in 2005 with their ISC gradient kits.


By 2006 I think it was all gone with Parramatta getting Red Rooster & Newcastle getting Newcastle Herald.

 

[steeden.]

I remember they started doing lower back sponsors just after the Eels and Knights had 'Parramatta' and 'Newcastle' respectively written there as part of the jersey designs (that I loved). Then sponsors were plastered over those spots on all NRL jerseys and I was disappointed. Might have been around 2004?

lower back sponsors started in 2006 from memory

 

[kdalymc]

Where the f**k do I buy this???

 

[Nuke]

I used to have boxer shorts of this pattern. Probably still have them, but my 41yr old self kinda outgrew my 14yr old self in the buttock region many years ago. The elastic will be cactus and the overall tightness wouldn't be pleasant.
I also had (have?) another one from 1995, which was all the clubs' logos on like a colourful checkerboard pattern. That was definitely 1995, as it had the 4 new expansion teams' logos (Reds, Warriors, Crushers, Cowboys) and Gold Coast as the Seagulls ... and they were the Chargers in 1996.

 

[Reflector]

Eels started it in 2004 with their ISC gradient kit.
View attachment 69271

Newcastle followed in 2005 with their ISC gradient kits.
View attachment 69272

By 2006 I think it was all gone with Parramatta getting Red Rooster & Newcastle getting Newcastle Herald.

Gradient jerseys are a fad that should've died out long ago. Why the Titans persist with it I have no idea...

 

[MugaB]

Gradient jerseys are a fad that should've died out long ago. Why the Titans persist with it I have no idea...

They don't know which blue they wanna be, so they fade to both... just pick aqua or teal and be done with it

 

[This Year?]

Dragons v St Helens shirt
here

Ugly AF. surely they could come up with something better.

 

[TDD91]

Wigan 2023 Charity Alternate Kit

 

[toomuchsoup]

Another NZ Warriors concept. Sort of blending the classic blue Auckland era and the black era.

 

[Stewbum]

Qld State League circa 1985

Back in the 90s I did a run of about 20 of these and sold them.

 

[Colk]

Another NZ Warriors concept. Sort of blending the classic blue Auckland era and the black era. View attachment 70056

Good work mate as always.

I like the first and the third one. The fourth one is interesting.

 

[Nuke]

I like those Auckland ones. I'd add just a touch of red, personally, but that's just me.