A Dirty Little Secret: Pro Sports and Gangs

Some recent stories have emerged indicating that the NFL is going to start an investigation into whether or not NFL players have been flashing gang signs during TV broadcasts. There has been the predictable reaction on both sides, with some saying they are overracting.

I am not sure what is going to happen with this investigation but I am willing to let the process evolve and await the report if any. Until we know for sure it is proper to give the benefit of the doubt to those who have been accused.

But, this story is only the tip of the iceberg in what has become one of the dirty little secrets of professional sports, the deliberate marketing of clothing and other items to gangs all across the country.

For example, in 1998 Nike came out with a new shoe, the Nike Air Jordan XIV. The shoe has the roman numerals XIV emblazoned on the side, which according to Nike was simply meant to note the fact that it is the 14th year of making Air Jordans. Now I don’t know about you but I never saw the 14th anniversary as particularly significant and they did not made similar markings on any prior shoes.

So why might they have chosen to do it in this model ?

Well it just happened (I am sure by coincidence) that XIV is also the symbol of a major street gang and sales in the area dominated by the gang were through the roof.

Then there was when the New York Yankees came out with a red Yankees cap. Now I am far from being a Yankees fan but I am pretty sure that Yankee fans prefer blue. So why would they come out with a red cap ?

Hmmm…. Well we have one major gang who uses blue as their color and one that uses red……

If you don’t believe me, ask the Brooklyn DA.

Now I understand the idea of marketing your product, but I think there is a point where you have to draw a line. Or perhaps the Yankees will need to come out with a hat that has Al Qaeda colors so they can sell overseas….