World Football Index Podcast

This week's Bodies in the Box dicusses the brand that football has become. Dave Caren (Brazil) brings back ever-faithful Andy Wales (UK) to join Dave Hendrick of the All In Sports Network to talk about where branding has its roots - come to find, well, everywhere. Players have their own brands they establish and build upon over the course of their careers as football clubs are moving into a commercial mindset that cannot be reversed. What effect does the focus on brands and "brand name" have on footballers? The game itself? Preseason tours and commercial sponsorships for both players and clubs play into the exposure of these brands, but it remains to be asked: does the systematic commercialisation of the sport act to its detriment? We ask that question.