It’s an age old question: what do you give to someone who has everything? Most of the time the answer is not something they can’t afford. Strange as this scenario may be, it has become the reality of the NBA. There seem to be corporations willing to give clothing to millionaire NBA players who cannot afford to buy clothes to concur with the new dress code.
But the grips from many players to give them a stipend so they can buy new clothes for the new NBA dress code are still ringing in our ears.
Although it’s in our nature, we can’t be too quick to judge the NBA players. First, you must understand the plight of such a millionaire. You must be aware that when you are paying mortgages on four houses, six luxury cars, and you own countless amounts of “bling” it is hard to find money for a shirt, tie and a pair of dress pants.
But just when it seems the rich will have no clothes to put on their back and all seems to be lost, a team of charitable heroes come.0 to the rescue.. Many men’s wear companies have offered to outfit several NBA players in much needed dress clothes.
According to www.usatoday.com, Dockers’ has offered to outfit all 450 NBA players with dress clothes.
Dockers along with many other companies are offering to clothe these needy millionaires. The business casual company would provide each player with five pairs of pants $55 each, 10 shirts, $35 each, two pairs of shoes, $65 each, nine pairs of socks, $30, one reversible belt, $25 and one blazer, $150.
I am not a business or advertising major but I do understand the advertising mind behind wanting to have your clothes on coveted NBA players. This is not the first time this has happened just the first time it has happened on this grand of a scale.
The usatoday.com also states that Menswear giant Joseph Abboud is in negotiations to outfit up to 100 NBA players. Joseph Abboud has endorsement deals to outfit stars such as Jeremy Shockey, tight end for the New York Giants, and Johnny Damon, center fielder for the Boston Red Sox. From the NBA side, a similar deal has been made with Stephon Marbury to provide a new suit for the star for all 82 games this season. In turn all three stars wear the suits and do advertisement for the menswear company.
To cut individual deals with certain teams or certain star players is a great business deal for both parties. The team and player often get paid to wear the free clothes and the clothing company gets constant advertisement and promotion from the NBA’s hottest stars. This business fuels the minds of those that are openly willing to give clothes to the rich even with thousands of poor who barely have a shirt to put on their back.
You can shake your head if you don’t agree or you can nod your head if you do agree. Like it or not this satire is indicative of our Madison Avenue influenced culture and shows an aspect of America’s true “giving” nature.
Jarryd Alex Jackson is a fifth year pharmacy student from Bradenton, Fl. He can be reached at mr_jajackson@yahoo.com.