It is silly, but it's also called 'Sports Marketing'.
You can use any basketball in pickup games, but if you're in the NBA, your hands will only hold a Spaulding.
You can use any football you want on Saturday, unless you're in the NFL, then you're gonna use a Wilson.
The list goes on and on..... Sports companies pay for exclusivity. In individual sports where the fanbase is larger, and the money's more available -- (i.e. golf/tennis) then as long as the equipment meets the criteria -- it can be used. Were bowling as accepted by the sports community -- the PBA wouldn't have to (trying to find a different word than extort, and failing miserably) dictate by fee-dom what companies can afford to have their toys on tour.
my .02.
Edited on 9/11/2008 11:46 AM
