The No Football League is back!

THAT MAKES NO SENSE. Excuse a second posting from Agency Heat so soon, but this is one they threw together for EA Sports to promote the end of the NFL lockout. Except, no sympathy from me for either side trying to blame the other guy, as the players in this spot come off in a way that indirectly says “Hey fans, wasn’t our fault.” Except, it was both your “faults.” I lived through strike football once and was prepared for it again, but seriously, a big f*ck you to both for once again using fans as pawns in a game that both sides knew the outcome of. Except part II: It’s really players and owners on the same side vs. fans, innit.

No players? No problem - we still got merch!

You’re the NFL and the NBA, and business is so strong that you can lock out the employees in a work stoppage AND continue to sell merchandise? How is that even legal? Work stoppage means... work stoppage for everything, no? #rhetorical. They either have really good brands, or really good lawyers. #rhetoricalpart2

Looks like the Falcons got past Vick.

At 10-2 currently, I’d say so. The Go! Team’s The Power Is On though is damn infectious every time you hear it in this NFL Play 60 spot that’s been out. (I’m not crazy about their other bus spot though.) But YouTube loves them some Dirty Bird! They just do:

“Hey Mr. Blank, we need you nod your head to this music. I know, it's not something you would ever listen to, but just try it” “mmmm ok. You mean like this?” “No.” – heat4yoass

“I can't get enough of this commercial. The beat is awesome, the song is infectious, and the Falcons KICK ASS!!! BTW why are people hatin’ on Arthur Blank for his head boppin'? Sure, old Jewish dudes aren't known for their rhythm. So what? You know what they can do? Buy an NFL team that has never seen consistent success and make them RELEVANT . Arthur Blank is the FUCKING MAN!! GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!” – Bravefalcon75

The mouth that roared.

Look, I like these spots. First Coach Ditka, now Keyshawn Johnson and Dick Butkus (after the jump). So obviously fake that they work. Less forced than the reverse-engineered borrowed interest of the coach press conference series.

Super Bowl lockout hype time!

 

Aka, my way of saying that once again this year, if you want Super Bowl XLV commercial hype? Look elsewhere. I’m not running any of it. Links after the game of course, but until then, enjoy your Big Game™ hype-free stay here. The bigger thing for brands to think about though isn’t their amazing lack of social media integration this year or the return of Pepsi, but the 2011 season where lockout talk is heating up. Basically, the players want (X) and the owners will only pay (X). With the salary cap gone this year (meaning teams are free to spend like drunken bloggers and Donovan can McNabb his), and with no collective bargaining agreement in place for next year, the only brand to make out in case of a lockout would be the NFL.

A dirty bird can’t fly with a broken wing.

The DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket curse must’ve extended over to Buffalo week one. Gonna be a long year gang... a long year.

I’m certain I had a waitress like this once.

The latest in the Direct TV Sunday Ticket spots gives the business to Eagles’ fans. She shouldn’t be so upset though because Sunday Ticket recently opened up access to anyone. Drink up fellas, heh.

Bret is the new... Peyton?

David on AdFreak pretty much says it all about this spot. First thing I thought too when I saw it was that Farve’s understated thing was pretty good. Maybe the next... PEYTON?

NFL turns back illegal Border Patrol ad.

The confluence of politics, stupidity and advertising continues. The NFL said it refused to run a recruitment ad for the U.S. Border Patrol for their printed Super Bowl program, “saying it was “controversial” because it mentioned duties such as fighting terrorism and stopping drugs and illegal aliens at the border.”

WHAT?

The NFL’s kidding, right? Pat Tillman gave his life for that very reason, something the league acknowledges with their tributes. The league whips that cause out every time they have a flyover before a kickoff. How many profiles of NFL players are there that talk about loved ones serving. Several broadcasters were even live from Iraq before the Super Bowl.

But let’s not mention the word terrorists.

And if that wasn’t enough, Border Patrol was helping provide security at the game. Obviously, the NFL felt the game was a high-profile enough target to have elevated the security level the way they did. As for offending Latin American relations and harming league expansion by using the phrase ‘illegal aliens,’ who’s going to be offended? People coming here illegally? That makes sense.

Should the NFL have run the ad? Yup.

Tags: U.S. Border Patrol, NFL

To Cowboys Logo freaks...

I’m really sorry. I really am. I emailed Jerry and told him no. (Told him Al Groh would’ve been a better choice.) He hasn’t responded yet. Probably too busy reviewing changes to the luxury boxes for the new stadium. That’s what, like a billion by 2009? Anyway, first came the Statue of Liberty known as Drew, now comes Wade. Get used to that pose. The moment of indecision whether to throw the challenge flag or not. The moment that says should I head over to the snack bar – or blitz. And press conferences?

You’re welcome.

Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Wade Phillips