They’re still Da Bears.
An angry Bears President Ted Phillips affirmed that Wednesday in a statement released in response to media consternation caused by the team’s new 12-year,
$30 million partnership with Bank One.
“The Chicago Bears did not, and will never, sell the rights of our team name,” Phillips said in the statement. “Our partnership with Bank One does not and will not change how the team is referred to in any fashion locally or nationally.”
Officials say Bank One’s presence will, however, be obvious on signage and concessions at Soldier Field, and radio and television ads may well use the phrase “Bears football as presented by Bank One.”
But the Bears will remain the Bears, team officials insist. –TRIBUNE
This joke brought to you by …
News of the Bears’ partnership with Bank One inspired spoofs. RedEye looks at some of the best:
From Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick’s VapoRub–Dallas Morning News
Cowboys football presented by
Hooters–ESPN.com
Dolphin-safe football, presented by Starkist Tuna–ESPN
Chicago White Sox, presented by Brink’s Home Security–SI.com
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Edited by the Sports staff of RedEye
