Skip to Content

Passion for fashion? Visit the new StyleList!

The NFL Shop Targets the Female Consumer - Role Reversal

Filed under: Holiday Style, Gift Guides

A Cowboys hating Panthers fan wears a Jessica Simpson costume Nothing gets women excited like choking down a bunch of light beer and nachos while a fierce NFL match-up is blaring on the big screen. You know it. And the gear ... those loose-fitting mesh jerseys and awesome wool knit caps with gaudy team colors all over them... women just eat that stuff up. Don't they? Well, maybe that's not the case for all women, but regardless the NFL is marketing directly to women this year -- only it's not what you think.

Sure, the NFL Shop is chock full of all kinds of fan gear for women. And Cowboys jerseys are hot item for sadly confused followers of Jessica Simpson (see photo). But what the NFL Shop is going for this year is something a little more sneaky. You could call it a trick play.

Instead of expecting women to fall head over heel for their low-cut Tennessee Titans tees by Alyssa Milano (they do have those, BTW), the NFL is faking the hand-off to women in order to get them to buy men more ugly sports gear. Kinda ingenious, yet kinda shady right?

Women's Official NFL Fashions

(click thumbnails to view gallery)

  • Terrel Owens Jersey
  • Tennessee Designer Tee
  • New Orleans Thong
  • Philidelphia Earrings

They've even hooked up with a high dollar PR firm -- Adrienne Weiss Corp -- to try to figure out how to drop hints to women, that they should do their Christmas shopping on NFL.com. According to Adrienne: "Targeting women who purchase gifts for men is the right idea, but it has to be done with the right tonality," because it takes the "guesswork out of giving."

What do you think? It seems offensive to female fans that the NFL would advertise to women just to get to men. Would you be more likely to grab an official New Orleans Saints thong while you're on NFLshop.com doing some shopping?

[via Jezebel]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

How You Voted

    Curly or Straight?
    While 30% of you think she's so beautiful that her hair doesn't even matter, 49% of you prefer her curls. Get the full story here.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images | Jon Furniss, WireImage

    Offensive or artistic?
    Just over 50% of StyleList readers said they weren't offended by this shirt, but didn't know if it was totally appropriate to wear in public. Unfortunately, that wasn't the opinion in Dubai. Get the full story here.

    Photo: eBay

    ebay

    Strapless dresses on 13-year-olds
    StyleList readers think strapless dresses should be saved for older girls -- 41% of you think the look is too mature. Get the full story here.

    Getty Images

    Is Megan the new Angelina?
    Half of you think Megan needs to get her own identity and quit copying Angie, but more than a quarter said Jolie doesn't stand a chance against this Fox. Get the full story here.

    Getty Images

    Did Calvin Klein respond to public's outcry?
    The controversial "threesome" billboard in Soho has been replaced with this one, but 51% of you believe it was just to keep people talking about the brand, not because CK caved. Get the full story here.

    Rachel Been, AOL

    Calvin Klein's Racy Ad
    Is it art or practically pornography? About 40% of StyleList readers found this billboard obscene. Get the full story.

    Maggie Coughlan, AOL

    Palin's Pedi
    Do you think Sarah Palin's funky pedicure was appropriate? If so, you're in good company -- 68% of you said it was fun and fabulous. Get the full story.

    Getty Images

    Bright, Light, or Dark as Night?
    How do you like your toenails painted? Over half of StyleList readers prefer their piggies with bright, perky polish. Get the full story.

    Getty Images

    Nipple cream as lip balm?
    StyleList readers are willing to try anything! 80% of you either love the idea or, at the very least, think it's worth a try. Get the full story.

    notsogoodphotography on flickr

    Skip the skinny jeans
    Skinny jeans might be bad for you, but more than 50 percent of you never wore them anyway! Get the full story.

    Getty Images

Featured Galleries

StyleList Fashion Blog bloggers (30 days)

#BloggerPostsCmts
1Bee-Shyuan Chang570
2Maureen Dempsey380
3Kristen Seymour300
4Marissa Gold230
5Amber Stolec210
6Courtney Dunlop180
7Jessica B. Matlin180
8Ben Widdicombe130
9Sarah Cristobal70
10Katie Hintz40