If you haven't heard already, there is a rumor going around that Reebok might ask Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson to pay back funds for jerseys that have already been produced with the name "Johnson" on them.  The reported number going around has Ocho Cinco Johnson (or whatever we're calling him these days) possibly having to pay upwards of four million dollars.  For JERSEYS. 

Um...excuse me?

This might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard. (Minus yet another athlete coming out of retirement...LANCE!)   This is coming from a company (yes you Reebok) that makes a bazillion dollars a year, and who will probably make even MORE money from people wanting to walk around with "Ocho Ciinco" on their backs.  C'mon, it's cool.  You know you want one.


The Bengals haven't had this much press since...well....ever. 

I get making a big deal out of certain things, I really do.  Two of the most reported stories I saw and read this week made sense...but the other one I repeatedly saw has got to be a joke!

First, Brett Favre.  Obviously important. He made his big debut as an official "Jet," and defeated the Dolphins.  Golf claps - as if that wasn't expected.



Next, the unexpected Tom Brady incident.  A torn ACL!  Ouch!  A torn MCL!  Double Ouch!  A season ending injury?  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!   I live in the DC area, and I swear I heard all of New England yell collectively, "Matt Cassel?  WHO'S THAT?!" 




Lastly, I saw Chad Johnson all over the place.  All I hear is Ocho Cinco this, and Ocho Cinco that.  What?  Who?  Why are we speaking spanish?  Am I on ESPN Deportes?  I don't get it.  I don't understand why a name on the back of a jersey has become such a soap opera.  Maybe someone can explain it to me in a fashion that actually MAKES SENSE. 

I would like to point out two different scenarios in which not only manufacturer's, but fans lose out.

Exhibit A:

Last year, I purchased a number 24, Boston Red Sox, Manny Ramirez t-shirt.  I wore it weekly to bed, until one day I woke up, and Manny was no longer a Red Sock.  My t-shirt had become irrelevant.  Boston was selling Ramirez t-shirts on their website at clearance prices, and poor Majestic had to take a loss because, well, Manny was a popular guy in Boston.  Obviously they were continually making shirts to keep up with those demanding Ramirez fans.  Silly us. 

So in the case of players being traded - why don't teams have to pay the companies like Reebok and Majestic for fees they might lose by having to change or discontinue certain products?

Exhibit B: 

While women's sports aren't nearly as popular as mens, what would happen if a professional womens athlete who had merchandise that was being sold, got married and legally changed her last name?  When Mia Hamm got married to Nomar Garciaparra, what if she legally became Mia Garciaparra?  Should she be responsible for paying the maker of t-shirts and jerseys that read "Hamm" to make up for lost expenses?  I think not.

I can guarantee that whoever makes apparel for professional athletes is going to make money no matter what.  Sure, they might lose some money because the number 85 with the name "Johnson" isn't nearly as fun as "Ocho Cinco,"  but, the money they lose from the "Johnson" jersey', they will surely double by the selling of the new and trendy "Ocho Cinco" jerseys.  Yeah, I said trendy.  So?

Maybe they'll pass along the cost to the consumer.  Maybe they'll jack up the price of the new jersey, and cut costs of the old one to balance it out.  My suggestion then, is to buy the old one, stick some duct tape over the "Johnson," and then write in "Ocho Cinco" on the tape.  it works.

That's what I did with my Ramirez shirt.  Yay for Bay!