Why don't refs wear adverts?

[My T Sharp]

Most things are covered in adverts like the canvas, ring-posts, boxers, trainers etc but not the refs?

Specsavers paid £1m to sponser the Scottish football refs. OK the BBBofC or the individual promoters would not be able to negotiate that much, but it would all help cover the costs :??

[m1kee50]

They should 50-50 it for the Board and boxing-related charities.

[rob h]

The next step up from tattoo'ing Boxers backs with adverts probably. Hate it all personally.

[chinny]

I'm not sure refs and judges should take part in anything which could even hint at compromising their neutrality and independence.

Call me a cynic, but I always thought it was a bit off when both Chelsea FC and the prem refs were sponsored by Emirates.

[metchampion]

Prior to taking out my managers’ licence I was a board official for ten years,and so used to attend the annual BBBofC officials seminar, where such things were discussed.

A star class referee posed the same question to the board and was told that there were no plans whatsoever for referees to be sponsored. The reason, I think, was as the last poster says, it would be inappropriate for a neutral official to be wearing the same name brand / logo as the fighter / promoter for whom he is officiating. The board were adamant about this and given that they were in receivership at the time, it’s fair to say that they couldn’t have been blamed for seeking revenue from wherever they could. In my view, our referees are as straight as a die and no amount of sponsorship would alter that, but it's all about perception I suppose.

Alarmingly, when I posed the question, “Would the board consider the sponsorship of the Lonsdale belt, in much the same way as the “Carling cup” or the “e-on FA Cup”, they stated this was being actively researched (By Nicky Piper, I think) They named a price (Which I won’t divulge) and as yet, it’s come to nought, I’m very pleased to say. I want my fighters to win the Lonsdale belt, not the Carlsberg Lonsdale belt!

Personally, I’m not keen on all the garish advertising, plastered just about everywhere the eye can see, however, I have to confess, even though I’m very old fashioned and a bit of a traditionalist, I’m the first to look out for sponsorship for all my fighters. “If it makes money…it makes sense”.

[My T Sharp]

Prior to taking out my managers’ licence I was a board official for ten years,and so used to attend the annual BBBofC officials seminar, where such things were discussed.

A star class referee posed the same question to the board and was told that there were no plans whatsoever for referees to be sponsored. The reason, I think, was as the last poster says, it would be inappropriate for a neutral official to be wearing the same name brand / logo as the fighter / promoter for whom he is officiating. The board were adamant about this and given that they were in receivership at the time, it’s fair to say that they couldn’t have been blamed for seeking revenue from wherever they could. In my view, our referees are as straight as a die and no amount of sponsorship would alter that, but it's all about perception I suppose.

Alarmingly, when I posed the question, “Would the board consider the sponsorship of the Lonsdale belt, in much the same way as the “Carling cup” or the “e-on FA Cup”, they stated this was being actively researched (By Nicky Piper, I think) They named a price (Which I won’t divulge) and as yet, it’s come to nought, I’m very pleased to say. I want my fighters to win the Lonsdale belt, not the Carlsberg Lonsdale belt!

Personally, I’m not keen on all the garish advertising, plastered just about everywhere the eye can see, however, I have to confess, even though I’m very old fashioned and a bit of a traditionalist, I’m the first to look out for sponsorship for all my fighters. “If it makes money…it makes sense”.

Cheers for that

I'm not one for over the top advertising but the precedent has been set by football and rugby. I think sponsoring the Lonsdale would be a bit much, and I suppose it would make people cynical if the ref and promoter had the same sponsor if there was an unpopular decision.

[rob h]

Thanks for that post mate, interesting stuff.

[Poncey]

The next step up from tattoo'ing Boxers backs with adverts probably. Hate it all personally.

i dont like the idea but maybe if money made from went to getting boxers medical help and protecting their health i wouldnt have a problem.

x2

[jonny]

Most things are covered in adverts like the canvas, ring-posts, boxers, trainers etc but not the refs?

Specsavers paid £1m to sponser the Scottish football refs. OK the BBBofC or the individual promoters would not be able to negotiate that much, but it would all help cover the costs :??

Specsavers sponsoring referees
"YOUR BLIND REFEREE"