“JUST ONE MORE WAFER THIN MINT?, MR SPONSOR – (youtu.be/HJZPzQESq_0 - apologies to Python) Footy fan or not there are few across the globe who have not gorged themselves on the news regarding Luis Suarez and his latest ‘Bite-gate’ scandal. Whilst a supremely talented footballer Suarez’ career has been marred with (now) three incidents of on-field biting not to mention alleged racism etc. What now for sponsors – have they had enough of Luis ‘gourmand’ Suarez? The comparisons with another indiscrete sportsman, Tiger Woods, are easy to draw. However, whilst both have shattered their global role model status Tigers antics where off-field and could be regarded a private matter. His poor judgement was primarily a reflection on his personal morality (or lack thereof); the scale of the wrong doing and its explosive nature inadvertently casting a shadow on his sport and professional status. However for Suarez there is no doubt his on-field antics have brought into disrepute the ‘beautiful game’ and everyone he is professionally associated with including his sponsors. Despite Tiger’s ‘high’ number of extra-marital dalliances the news broke during one protracted revelation whilst Suarez has had three spread over several years. Despite the aggressive (and justified) punishments he seems reluctant or incapable to learn from his previous faux pas. Whilst football fans have a tendency toward blind allegiance to their stars this may be a nibble too far for his army of former fans. For his sponsors such as Adidas and 888 could it also be the same? According to a study conducted by two University of California professors—who looked at stock market returns for Woods sponsor companies in the 13 trading days immediately following his Thanksgiving revelation ending a week after he announced he would be indefinitely leaving the sport—sticking by Tiger may have cost the companies as much as $12 billion. Nike, Gatorade and EA Sports were hit hardest as a result of their support for the philanderer, losing a total of $6 billion. Are Suarez’ sponsors and his employer willing to overlook his failings when it hits them hardest – share price, sales and reputation? With the Uruguay FA set to table an appeal tomorrow I’m sure that both Suarez’ sponsors and Liverpool FC are awaiting the result of the outcome process before they make their positions clear. I wonder though is this just as the famous Python sketch’ a “wafer thin mint too many. Should that be the case I remain certain there will be clubs who will be willing to afford yet another chance to him should his talents prevail after his latest ban and with that even if the old sponsors abandon him new ones will follow to take their place at the discount Suarez buffet.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 18:26:30 +0000
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