On the subject of the Super Bowl, I'm have to say that while I'm happy for the ever-underachieving Eli Manning to have made it good, I was a little disappointed by one of the post-game traditions: the presentation of a new luxury car, such as this year's Cadillac Escalade, to the most valuable player. Why would a car company think that the rest of us want to see an already well-paid, honored pro athelete receive yet another free perk?
I know that the car companies want to promote their products as a prize worthy of a great contest, and as something that you should drive because it's associated with a great athlete. But I object to the idea of giving a free car to someone who doesn't really need it when the rest of America is struggling to meet their mortgage payments and is paying more than $3.00 per gallon of gas.
My solution? Make it an act of charity. Cadillac (or Eli himself) should give a new Escalade to some poor, worthy family in the name of the MVP athlete. That way, the car goes to someone who really needs it, the car company still gets exposure at the Super Bowl and association with the athlete, and both the athlete and the car company get some great publicity for their charitable work.
Oh well. At least they gave him a hybrid.
Comments (4)
February 5, 2008
13:15PM | #
Yeah - a hybrid that gets less MPG than my regular gasoline SUV!
February 5, 2008
14:29PM | #
Are you kidding me a poor family probably couldn't even pay for the cost of gas these days. Cadillac should have given the monetary amt of the vehicle to a poor family instead. These huge SUVs are gas guzzlers and seeing that most people want an SUV, the gas companies will keep making prices higher because Americas' demand for gas is so high.
If I do a good job at work or at years end if the numbers are looking good am I getting a cadillac? I don't think so but then when these teams go on strike for more money we just give it to them.
February 5, 2008
14:37PM | #
@Alfio: You're right that with its terrible gas mileage, a poor family probably couldn't afford to keep an Escalade topped up with fuel. I should have written that I presumed that as a part of the charitable gift that the car company (or heck, the athlete as well) should sponsor the gas along with the car.
I think the point to remember is that it would be nice to see a little more charity in pro sports rather than conspicuous promotional gifts to those who are already wealthy.
February 5, 2008
16:45PM | #
And don't forget insurance and property taxes...