i9Sports, a for-profit franchised youth sports business, places illegal advertising signs on the side of public and private roads, rather than using paid advertising to support their for-profit sports leagues.

This is illegal in most if not all of the towns where they do it (it is certainly illegal in New York). These ugly eyesore signs distract drivers, hurt property values for property owners, and drain taxpayer resources for their removal - whether it's law enforcement, sanitation, or code enforcement, it costs taxpayers money.

My complaint specifically refers to their Westchester County, New York franchise. i9Sports franchisee Brent Bass is a bad corporate citizen, transfering his advertising costs to the community. Imagine if every business put signs on the side of the road! Your community would look like a garbage heap, especially after the signs blew away or got covered with mud, which they do if the municipalities don't have the funds to remove them. (PS - these signs are made of Coroplast - a non-recyclable material. So much plastic going to landfills, because a company isn't willing to foot its own advertising bill and instead puts it on the community.

Please contact Mr. Bass to ask him to stop: [email protected] / 914-997-7529. And call the corporate headquarters too if this is taking place in your area of the US. 800-975-2937.

Proof of the local franchisee's actions is seen below in its current Craigslist ad looking for someone to place signs for them:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/etc/1595911450.html

Guerilla Marketing Driver (Westchester / Rockland County) Date: 2010-02-11, 9:02AM EST Reply to: see below
i9 Sports of Westchester and Rockland is searching for a mature individual, to work as a part time guerilla marketing staff member. The person in this position will have a flexible schedule (preferred evening) and will work primarily in placing our marketing materials throughout Westchester and Rockland County. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Must have the ability to take direction and be organized. To do this job effectively this person should be physically fit, have a clean driving record, and be willing to both transport and place marketing materials in their personal car. This person should also be familiar with driving directions throughout Westchester County primarily. No Degree required for this opportunity. Email interest letter and resume by March 10th, 2010 to:

[email protected] Location: Westchester / Rockland County Compensation: Hourly / Contractual This is a part-time job. This is a contract job. Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. Phone calls about this job are ok. Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests. PostingID: 1595911450