新西兰英语 514 Rugby Sponsorship

 　　Two players have been fined $10,000 each for using a mouth guard with a sponsor’s name on it during the Rugby World Cup, the RWC.

　　The rules for the RWC are that teams may not show any sponsors¹’ advertising² for those seven weeks of the RWC. The reason is to protect the rights of the official sponsors. The International Rugby Board, the IRB, sells the TV rights to show the games. The IRB says that a total of about 4 billion people throughout the world watch the RWC on TV and sponsors pay to have their advertising showing during the games. The IRB uses the money to promote the game around the world especially in the countries below the top 10 rugby countries.

　　The New Zealand Rugby Union is not happy about the IRB’s rules. They say that FIFA allows teams during the Football World Cup to show their sponsors on a banner³ outside their hotel or on their clothes when they are not playing games. The New Zealand Ruby⁴ Union says they are losing money during the RWC. They expect to get about $270m from ticket sales but costs of running the competition are about $310m. They are also losing money from not holding the usual tournaments during this time.

　　There are other costs. The RWC is costing Auckland ratepayers $102m while the government has so far spent $300m to help run the competition.

　　However, an economist⁵ said that New Zealand should not worry about losing money over the RWC. New Zealanders are enjoying the games and this is important after the Christchurch earthquake and world financial problems. The RWC will also encourage more young people to play rugby.

　　Vocabulary

　　to fine – to make someone pay money for doing something wrong. Often used for parking or speeding fines.

　　promote – encourage more people to play rugby

　　banner – a big sign

　　tournament – a competition between many teams

　　ratepayers – home owners pay a local tax called “rates”

　　to run a competition / a tournament / the games / the RWC

　　so far spent – up till now but maybe the government will spend more in the future

　　Questions

　　1.Do you think the IRB was right to fine the two players who had the sponsor’s name on their mouth guards?

　　2.Do you think the All Blacks should be allowed to show their sponsors when they are not playing games?

　　3.What are the benefits of the RWC for New Zealand?

1 sponsors   

n.保人( sponsor的名词复数 )；（广播电视节目、音乐会或运动会的）赞助者；（培训或教育的）资助者；（法案等的）倡议者v.赞助( sponsor的第三人称单数 )；资助（某人的培训或教育）；为慈善活动捐资；倡议

参考例句：

• The race organizers are trying to attract sponsors. 比赛的组织者在想方设法吸引赞助者。
• They become official sponsors and put their logos on stadium walls. 他们成为正式赞助者，从而能在赛场周围的墙上挂上他们公司的广告牌。 来自辞典例句

2 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

3 banner   

n.旗，旗帜，横幅

参考例句：

• The new government came to power under the banner of fighting poverty.新政府是在对贫穷开战的名义下上台的。
• A white banner was hanging out of the window.一面白旗挂在窗子外面。

4 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

5 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。