Restrictions on Sponsors

[Aerie]

With Coca-Cola being withdrawn from sponsoring the mini-league due to obesity in children and cigarette brands not being allowed to sponsor the cricket or F1 etc for ethical reasons for some time now, what are peoples opinions?

I can understand the ethical issues and in some ways agree, however money doesn't grow on trees and in the mini-league case, the lack of a sponsor has been reasoned as why this competition won't go on anymore.

Should there be restrictions on who can sponsor certain events and if so, how far do you go?

[Pseudo]

If sponsorship was forbidden to those who glorified drinking, swearing and other bad influences on children, then the Snout's Louts would never have been allowed into the GFC sponsorship bonanza!

[ORDoubleBlues]

A tough one because it is usually the "bad example" type of companies that have the most money.
I don't know what the figure was that Coke was throwing in for the mini league sponsorship in the SANFL and was it a different set up in the days before one of the teams in each mini league match had to be called Coca Cola?
I can only see it getting worse because there is a reluctance on these big companies part to sponsor anything (for example, when was the last time you saw Woolworths sponsor anything? particularly at a community based level) and the smaller community minded companies who may throw money your way are becoming more reluctant because they know people won't support them.

[Booney]

Some good points ORDB.For the larger companies that suffer from the anti-tabacco laws,Marlboro and co,they know whether they advertise or not,people will buy their product,and will do for some time.They also have multi-million dollar sponsorship budgets and are happy to get exposure where ever and when ever they can.Then little Mr.Drake foodmart down the street corner takes any sponsorship he does out of his/her own pocket,but are not assured of a "return" on their investment,and that is what sponsorship is,an investment.If the support from the community does not come back,the smaller business owners are reluctant to dish out the $.However,if small sporting groups are willing to do the leg work and try to talk these smaller places into handing out some $,you will find very few will decline the invitation,so,in saying this,get the SANFL to get off their collective arses and instead of waiting for a sponsor to come forward and promote the mini-league,get out there and find one!

I for one thing Cadbury-Schweppes would jump at an opportunity to kick Coca-Cola while they are down.

Over to you SANFL.....