Clubs around the league are starting to release their season commercials. Sporting Kansas City has a pretty cool ad that showcases their new stadium along with some highlights of last season.

This video is technically Shunsuke Nakamura belting a free kick onto a moving bus, but it really qualifies as a pleading attempt for a free kick trick series between the likes of Nakamura, Juninho, Darijo Srna, et cetera et cetera, just like those old McDonald's trick shot commercials between Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.

For those who have been wondering whether or not Major League Soccer would receive attention on NBC Sports, take a look at these promo videos put out. MLS 2012 is shaping up well. At the moment there are three circulating the internet. Check 'em out and let us know what you think.

This may not be one of the most tactful footy-related commercials you've ever seen, but it's probably one of the funniest. Unless you're a City fan. The reverse edition would probably involve a City fan wiping its arse with fake banknotes. Or possibly a Tevez shirt.

Pretty easy to get lost in a few more Komplett ads, like the excellent usage of disciplinary cards in the workplace.

Just some quick thoughts on the FIFA bidding process. For more detail on the ongoing effort to secure rights fees for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, take a look at some of the other posts below.

Last night Grant Wahl tweeted that the FIFA World Cup bidding process was not quite finalized. Despite expectations that the winner of rights to the 2018, 2022 World Cup (along with other events including Womens World Cups and youth tournaments), would be announced Thursday or Friday, Wahl has reported that FIFA has requested new bids.

Editors Note: A two-for this week from "The Other 87" in contributions. This article by Eric Betts was just too good to not feature on the hallowed site. Agree? Disagree? Let us know!
At The Other 87 believe that there is an art, or rather, a knack, to creating a good soccer commercial.

Cue the Heineken commercials, the unmistakable anthem, and the goosebumps the Champions League is here again. To be Manchester United is to be a perennial favorite in the competition, and that's no different this season, as United eye a fourth final in five seasons. And the first stop on the journey to next May's [.

The team at soccer megastore World Soccer Shop has released some very innovative commercials lately. Now the online soccer experts have launched a contest that gives you a chance to be part of one of their commercials with the all new How Far Would You? contest. If your idea is selected for the commercial, you'll get [.

This game, July 31, 2011, took a water break at the 35th minute.In Mexico's First Division and throughout all of its leagues, water breaks at the 25 and 70 minute marks are becoming more common. These breaks are decided by the weather. If officials see the weather as very hot, they are allowing for these breaks to occur, so players can hydrate and play on effectively.

Sky Italia has nailed the preseason advertising market with some holy commercials designed to highlight the miracle that is calcio. Or miracle that it, despite the constant shitstorm, still stands as a structure.

Ambrosini, Mauri, Eto'o and a Totti statue in one, while Andrea Pirlo dons stripes (or trades a red for a white) for the first time in the other.

Just giving the people what they want:

Alaska Airlines, jersey sponsor of the Portland Timbers, have done a series of commercials promoting the MLS team. I thought this particular spot was well done and funny. Could head coach John Spencer have an acting career in his future?

The next 'Chosen One', Javier Hernandez (Chicharito)It's a great feeling to be a Soccer fan. It gives the U.S. sports fan that many more options. I'm able to watch an intriguing, unpredictable NBA Finals and check in on Gold Cup matches during time-outs.
As a recent Soccer convert, I haven't been able to watch too many Gold Cups in my life, so there aren't many memories to build on.

Writing an article like this is comes with a bit of a disclaimer... Mainly because four out of five of these things I have on good authority that MLS is already to seeking to improve upon. Naturally, we all have our own lists of things MLS can do better so feel free to list them in the comments section below.

Tim Howard will be showing off his acting chops in a new series of commercials for Allstate's "Protection is Our Game" campaign. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the filming.

Many professional soccer, baseball and basketball players can now be seen competing while wearing small, multicolored wristbands. These bands are advertised to improve performance by improving the body's balance. At the heart of these wrist bands is a small disk of Mylar that is supposedly embedded with naturally occluding frequencies that resonate and align the body's energy flow.

I think every poker game has one of these guys the fat man victory dance! This is the latest very humorous advertisement from PokerStars.

The story behind the commercials is PokerStars latest project Home Games, which allows poker players to compete against friends in private games online.

Rough day at the office.

[101gg]

• Defending football. (Left Back In The Changing Room)
• Russia and racism. (IBWM)
• A Leipzig derby. (EFW)
• talkSPORT gets the gruesome twosome. (The Spoiler)
• Is the future three across? (Jonathan Wilson)
• Commercials abroad.

DALLAS, Tx. Of all the commercials seen during yesterday's Super Bowl, one seems to have captured the imagination more than others; perhaps even more than Christina Aguilera's messing up of the Star Spangled Banner and the pulsating end to the game itself. One ad where a child in the full Darth Vader costume attempts [.

EventDetroit Marty's Marketing Minutia | TheDetroitBureau.com - http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011... 2 hours ago from Event Marketing Detroit -... - Comment - Like Last year's FIFA World Cup was the biggest worldwide televised sports event in history, next in total number of viewers is expected to be next weeks Super Bowl XLV, with commercials costing from $2.

Your everyday practice at Brazil side Flamengo includes some running, quick drills and the ever impressive Ronaldinho scoring seemingly impossible goals straight from the CGI commercials. During a training session in preparation for his debut, Ronaldinho casually practiced some simple shots. Standing behind the goal, he manages to perfectly curve the ball around the post, [.

Your everyday practice at Brazil side Flamengo includes some running, quick drills and the ever impressive Ronaldinho scoring seemingly impossible goals straight from the CGI commercials. During a training session in preparation for his debut, Ronaldinho casually practiced some simple shots. Standing behind the goal, he manages to perfectly curve the ball around the post, [.

On January 17th Nike officially took over Adidas position as sponsor of the French National Team. So prepare for mediocre jersey designs and overly-dramatic commercials.

Here is Nike's first official video:

How do you feel about the new jersey? Please let us know by commenting below.

It's draft day in Major League Soccer, and once again, ESPN2 will offer coverage of the first round in Baltimore. As in past years, the draft is in the middle of the day, requring working fans to DVR the draft, watch online or follow one of the many blogs that will offer coverage. On Thursday we will offer a business blog of the draft and draft coverage.