The Blazers & PPS: Logos Underfoot?

Remember when Nike resurfaced all those outdoor courts in the parks?  Here we go again.  Most urbanMamas probably already have an opinion on this - you either hate the idea of branding schools to get needed funds or you can see beyond the downsides of commercialism in schools because you think accessing the funds is more important.  Valid points on both sides.

There are a number of issues to be made on the topic of these 'recognition opportunities,' not the least of which is the actual brand - what it stands for, what it sells.  And I'd eat my hat if someone thought the TrailBlazers is a good brand for high-school athletes.  These guys are in the back of a Rose City police car more often than at the free-throw line.  Good for kids?  I like a smooth surface on a school basketball court as much as the next mama, but I also like role models, and, well, one has to draw the line somewhere.  Or not, according to Tribune sports writer Dwight Jaynes in his interesting article supporting the gift.

So the question here, now, for PPS parents is: where is that line?  Where should PPS draw it?  Because apparently, it hasn't been drawn yet.  The article in today's Oregonian, Blazers Gift to School Scrutinized, says that the PPS school board policies don't specify how corporate logos can appear in school facilities (no really).  Should they?  Or should it be left open for a case-by-case approach?  The local Coalition for Commercial Free Schools has a lot to say on this topic, as you might imagine.  One of its representatives testified before the school board this week and described it as "talking to a wall."  Not encouraging. 

Where do you stand on this?  Is it school funding verses commercialism?  Or is there a better way, as some suggest: Take the gift but how about a nice plaque, guys?  Or maybe, just maybe, if our schools were fully funded, the basketball courts would be so smooth and so shiny that no Trailblazers money would be needed, thanks?  Not that I'm opposed to a little corporate contribution here and there mind you.  I mean, it's a good use of their money, right?  Let's just keep it low-key, fellas.

Feel like telling the School Board how you feel?  E-mail them at: SchoolBoard@pps.k12.or.us.  And if you ever want to attend one of its meetings, check the schedule and show right on up!

Comments

[elena]

Actually, on this one I'm going to have to disagree. As someone who has been following the recent overhaul of the Blazers' team roster over the last couple of years, I think that the reputation of the players as being poor role models may have to be reconsidered. Zach Randolf was the last of the original trouble makers and he was traded away during the draft a couple of months back. The team that they have built in the meantime is made up of very young, enthusiastic players who got national media attention last year for not only exceeding expectations on the court, but off the court as well. These kids are squeaky clean and are all about rebuilding the Blazers' reputation and regaining the respect of their city and the NBA.

As far as the logo goes, I don't really feel the same aversion to the idea of the logo of a local sports franchise as I might if it were something like Pepsi instead. School funding does have to come from somewhere and I actually think it sets a pretty good example when local celebrities give back to the community. There's a certain amount of civic pride that gets passed on in actions like that and the logo serves as a reminder. Is it a PR move for the Blazers, and in that sense, self-serving? Sure. But when the kids look down during all of that healthy exercise they'll be getting on that floor, they will see an image associated with athleticism, rather than high-fructose corn syrup. That's a compromise I'd be willing to make.

[KMat]

I definitely agree with Elena. Yeah, it would be super if our schools had all the money they needed, but they don't so let's be a little realistic when organizations want to give to the schools. When I moved here this summer we came across one of those Nike-sponsored b-ball courts in a park. The boys wanted to know what the symbol was, so I told them it was the Nike swoosh, probably because Nike put in the b-ball court. I didn't feel it necessary to expound on any sort of political agenda by explaining about sweatshops and foreign labor, I just let them know it was wonderful Nike is helping out it's neighbors. The same would hold true for the Blazers...if the new team starts to screw up, I am not going to tell my kids about so-and-so being in jail for whatever reason, I will focus on the fact that the Blazers want Portland kids to learn how to play basketball and exercise on nice new courts. I cannot go so far to support a Burgerville High, like Dwight Jaynes suggested in his article, but an athletic organization putting in new athletic equipment is fine with me.

[olivia]

I do agree with elena and KMat. If it were McDonalds suggesting putting golden arches all over the basketball floor, I would definitely say "no thank you."

I like the fact that the Blazers organization is interested in "giving back", as much of a media ploy as it may be. Still, it is a sports organization. If it were a WNBA team, I would say, "heck yea. Fund it all and put up some logos." My girls need more women sports role models.

[LeeAnn]

I was a baseball nut when I was a kid (still am) w/ two hometown teams to root for -- the Reggie Jackson-era Yankees, and the underdog Mets -- and I would've been thrilled to death if either team had made a similar contribution to my school. I don't see any negatives here. Kids' relationships to their local professional athletes can be quite innocent and positive under the right circumstances, which I think are happening here. The Blazers are making a concerted effort to become the hometown team of decent guys that we can all feel good about cheering on. I'm for this.

[Lisa]

I'm so glad to get all these opinions out on the table and see the different ways one can look at this. I agree, and should have said so, that the fact they they are givign this money IS, as many of you have noted, a great thing not to be brushed off. I think it's just that I have alwasy been a fan of the silent donor. But perhaps letting kids see the team give to the community is better, in this case. Keep it comin', mamas, the shared perspectives are terrific.