The NCAA Football Rules Committee released a bulletin regarding marketing, uniforms and equipment. After listing a number of exceptions such as school logos, the bulletin stated, "No other advertisements, either by the title sponsor or by any other commercial entity, may be on the field. All other items, including social media designations such as URL’s and hashtags, are prohibited." This rule is likely in response to hashtags popping up in end zones such as Mississippi State's clever use below.
This ruling should not come entirely as a surprise. The NCAA
banned Akron basketball from putting Twitter handles on their jerseys last January. Even so, the end zone handles were only being used to promote the school, and not for commercial advertising use, and therefore were relatively harmless. This bulletin also included some other rule specifications including that the pylon logo markings "may not extend more than 3 inches on any side. (Rule 1-2-6)," and "Towels must be solid white and must measure no smaller than 4” X 12” and no larger than 6” X 12.” (Rule 1-4-6-a)." Interestingly, just 4 months ago, the NCAA announced plans to streamline the complex NCAA rulebook. At the time, NCAA President Mark Emmert was quoted saying, “These new rules represent noteworthy progress toward what can only be described as more common sense rules that allow schools more discretion in decision-making.” Apparently they found towel size and pylon logo width to fall outside the 'common sense' capabilities of schools.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the bulletin was that while it did address new jersey regulations, ("New in 2013 Jersey numerals must be of a color that itself is clearly in distinct contrast with the color of the jersey, irrespective of any border around the number. (Rule 1-4-4-c-3)") that rules doesn't seem to prohibit us from having to see more of this next year.
Ref.
sports.yahoo.com
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