More than 100 college coaches are making a new appeal to NCAA President Myles Brand to eliminate alcohol advertising in telecasts of college sports. The effort comes as the NCAA’s Division 1 executive committee prepares to meet Thursday in Indianapolis.
In a letter Monday, the coaches said they are “troubled by the prominence of alcohol advertising in televised college sports” and offer a new proposal to phase out alcohol ads over three years.
“We strongly urge you to take actions against all alcohol advertising—including beer advertising—on NCAA sports telecasts,” said the letter. “We believe that this could be done gradually and relatively painlessly.”
The action was supported by 59 college presidents and 239 athletic directors.
The executive committee last reviewed the NCAA’s alcohol advertising standards in 2005.
Currently the NCAA limits alcohol advertising to products that don't exceed 6% alcohol levels, meaning beer and some wine coolers. Also, it allows only allows one minute per hour of any telecast to be devoted to alcohol ads.
Anheuser-Busch and SAB Miller are among the top five advertisers in CBS’ telecasts of the “March Madness” college basketball tournament.
A decision to eliminate alcohol advertising could affect the rights fees the NCAA receives for media telecasts.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest also has called on the NCAA to act.
“It’s refreshing to see so many college presidents, athletic directors and coaches standing up for what’s best for their institutions, sports programs and student athletes,” said George A. Hacker, director of the Campaign for Alcohol-Free Sports TV at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Even officials at many major sports powerhouses, which derive some revenue from beer advertising, recognize the hypocrisy and illogic of the NCAA’s sellout to beer peddlers.”
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Comments (4)
Alcohol should not be sold during sports games at all.
Posted by Guy Arnold | August 7, 2008 3:59 PM
Alcohol should not be allowed to advertise on TV,magazines,radio,or any place.Wait untill they see a family member,best friend killed by a drunk driver.
Posted by Martha | August 7, 2008 6:35 PM
No more booze commercials would be great! But if we "must have them," then please no more sports celebrities pushing the booze. It's great to get rid of the beer commercials during the college sports broadcasts, but they aren't the worst. What's worse? It's when the Pros are hawking beer. These Pros are the college players' ideals/idols. These beer-selling Pros are putting their stamps of approval on that which is leading the younger ones to their destruction. To me, the Professional Ball Players that advertise for the beer companies are nothing more than Beer Company Prostitutes.
Posted by John Adair | August 8, 2008 5:31 PM
The advertising of alcohol on television should be outlawed all together. The influence of TV on society, especially young minds, is unquestionable. Music stars, athelets, and celebrities of all types help promote a seriouly addictive and damaging drug under the guise of partying and having a good time. The destruction caused by alcohol consumption out weighs the negative impact of all other illegal drugs combined. Alcohol commercials have become music videos, fabricating a lifestyle that is as enticing as it is misleading. The two words, "drink responsibly," snuck in at the end of the ads, often barely audible, do little to turn the tide of DUI's, deaths, and domestic violence when the music stops and the drinking continues. How would no booze on TV effect our health and well being?
Posted by Brad Saunders | August 10, 2008 8:37 PM