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For Sale: Ads On Pro Soccer Jerseys In The U.S.

Major League Soccer is ready to join the rest of the soccer world in turning players on its 13 teams into walking billboards for a minimum of $500,000 a year. Commissioner Don Garber retains the right to reject inappropriate advertisers, which he considers companies that sell hard liquor and tobacco or run Internet gambling sites.

Last month, Real Salt Lake became the first club to announce a sponsorship deal when it signed a four-year deal with XanGo, a Utah-based company that makes juices and other products from the mangosteen fruit. XanGo was the sponsor of a game in August, when Real Madrid played in Utah.

"They were incredibly pleased that their name was broadcast around the world to 130 countries, and that they got their name out in Madrid in a big way," says Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts.

In the United States, team jerseys in major pro leagues have been almost sacrosanct. In Europe, advertising on team jerseys, in soccer and other sports, has been around for more than 30 years.

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