NFL photogs as “roving billboards”: News organizations are fighting a new NFL rule that will have sports photographers wearing red logo-emblazoned vests while near the field. Likened to “walking billboards,” the highly visible vests will have small Reebok and Canon logos on them. Since the NFL strictly controls the use of non-sponsor logos, says Tony Overman, president of the National Press Photographers Association, “the inclusion of sponsors’ logos on the photographers’ vests can only be seen as a deliberate decision to give the companies added exposure.” Some photographers are considering a boycott of the rule — or wearing the vests inside-out in protest.

Bigger than a vest: Locally, we’re witnessing the “corporatization of our very public university,” writes The Good Fight’s Kyle Pendergast. In the largest collegiate naming deal ever, TCF Bank will pay $35 million over 25 years to have its corporate identity atop the $288 million football stadium for the University of Minnesota. But naming TCF Bank Stadium is the tip of the iceberg: The financial institution will also get prime access to the coveted student demographic. It’ll have the option to extend its ATM contract on campus, it’ll lease space for a branch on the West Bank, it’ll get the chance to replace competitor U.S. Bank at its Coffman Union location when that bank’s lease expires, and it’ll continue sponsoring the “U Card.” TCF will also launch a branded bank card targeted at alumni, with some proceeds benefiting the school. The university says the deal will eventually bring in an additional $43 million in profit. The 50,000-seat, open-air stadium is scheduled to open in August 2009.

Rape and the U’s image: Just after the stadium’s logo was unveiled, the university football program’s image was taking a hit: Cornerback Dominic Jones was arrested on third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct charges. Now free on $25,000 bail, Jones is accused of having sex with an 18-year-old woman while she was “physically helpless.” The victim’s blood-alcohol content was at least .30, and Jones recorded a portion of the assault with his camera phone, according to the criminal complaint [pdf]. Jones and three other players have been dismissed from the team over the allegations, although the Associated Press reports the school is still honoring their scholarships.

Losing face on Facebook? The Star Tribune reports that university officials are fuming over a KSTP report about questionable images it found on U of M football players’ Facebook and MySpace pages, some apparently in violation fo the school’s student code of conduct. Of all the images — including, says the report, shots of jersey-wearing athletes partying, plus one capturing a player’s bare backside smooshed against the head of another player, both of whom are identified by name — the U is particulary incensed by one that shows 20-year-old offensive guard Nedward Tavale “holding up what looks like a pitcher of beer,” in the words of KSTP reporter Kristi Piehl. University news service officials insist it’s raspberry tea. KSTP news director Chris Berg stands by the story and says university officials haven’t been cooperative in commenting on the story.”Our reports speak for themselves,” he said. “Eyewitness News will continue to follow this story in earnest until someone from the University in a leadership position decides to return our calls.”

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