More sports leagues consider jersey ads

DETROIT, June 22 (UPI) -- The Women's National Basketball Association says rising costs could force other leagues to join them in putting sponsor logos on uniforms.

The WNBA allowed the practice this season, with the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury selling space on the front of their jerseys. The Detroit Shock want to find a similar sponsor, The Detroit News reported Monday.

"We don't want to be in a slippery slope of NASCAR-ization of the uniforms. We still want to maintain some integrity," said Tom Wilson, chief executive officer of The Palace, the sports and entertainment empire which owns the Shock and the NBA's Pistons.

While teams throughout the world routinely sell uniform space, the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball prohibit the practice, though that may change, WNBA President Donna Orender told the News.

Orender said executives in other leagues have been contacting her with questions since the WNBA opened up jersey sponsorship.

"It's like we've started a revolution, I think we've opened a powder keg," Orender said.