FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Saturday "waved aside concerns" that the organization's sponsors "might pull out" amid the ongoing scandal, according to Steven Zeitchik of the L.A. TIMES. He said, "These are partners. I'm sure I'll bring them back." He added that he has "spoken to officials of many of the sponsors since they released their statements and was convinced they wouldn't drop their deals." Zeitchik noted Visa and Coca-Cola "have been among those critical" of the recent developments (L.A. TIMES, 5/30). The L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke said for FIFA to change, sponsors in America need "to say, ‘Enough is enough. We’re not going to back this guy, we’re not going to back this organization.’ That’s when real change is going to happen” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 5/29). In a special to the WASHINGTON POST, Howler magazine Founder & Editor George Quraishi wrote sponsors have been "slow to realize" that the "people who run FIFA are not only greedy, but also dangerous." Quraishi: "But let's assume all of these signs of corruption eventually make Visa, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Hyundai, Gazprom, McDonald's and Budweiser nervous enough to stop sponsoring FIFA. And let's assume that none of their competitors were craven enough to take their place. Blatter would suddenly find it very difficult to maintain the support that keeps getting him reelected" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/30).
SPONSORS A VICTIM OF "WITCH HUNT": Former Visa Head of Global Brand Andrew Woodward said there has been a "bit of a witch hunt" concerning FIFA sponsors amid the recent scandal. Sponsors have a “role in the whole marketing mix when it comes to the staging of major events” but Woodward said what is currently happening is people "are zeroing in on the wrong folks." He said if people "look at where the money is in world sport, a lot of it comes from TV rights with media organizations,” as well as from sponsors and governments. Woodward: “This kind of assault by the media and some members of the public on sponsors is somewhat unwarranted.” The FIFA World Cup is “one of the most lucrative sports sponsorships in the world, and if a sponsor was to drop out, they’ll be plenty lining up to take their place.” He said the public can "separate the role of sponsors and they recognize the corruption is in FIFA." Woodward: "At the end of the day, the public just wants to see great football on the field” (“First Up with Angie Lau,” Bloomberg TV, 6/1).
OLIVER MAKES A PERSONAL PLEA: HBO's John Oliver again attacked FIFA last night and said, "Barring an indictment, the only people with the power to get rid of Sepp Blatter are FIFA’s sponsors." Oliver: "I would like to make a plea to them tonight. Please make Sepp Blatter go away. I will do anything. addias, I will wear one of your ugly shoes, one of these shoes that make me look like the Greek god of aspiring DJs. McDonalds, I will take a bite out of every item on your dollar menu, which tastes like normal food that was cursed by a vindictive wizard. I will even make the ultimate sacrifice. Budweiser, if you pull your support and help get rid of Blatter, I will put my mouth where my mouth is and I will personally drink one of your disgusting items. I’m serious. It can be a Bud Light. I will even drink a Bud Light Lime. ... I will drink one maintaining eye contact with the camera and I will say it was delicious, because if you get rid of the Swiss demon who has ruined the sport I love, this stuff will taste like f---ing champagne” (“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” HBO, 5/31).
