For both partners, the lure is money. This movement initially was fueled by Channel One, a free educational TV service available in 12,000 schools willing to accept commercials interspersed in educational programming. The public now accepts the fact that school sports teams receive support from corporate sponsors, which offer lucrative contracts. Even school textbooks and book covers carry advertising and logos. Soda companies have followed the same path.
Contracts are common in many school districts in Ohio and across the country.
Even affluent school districts in this state have formed alliances with soda companies. Often, incentives are tied to sales. Even if the ethics of commercializing our schools is put aside, we should still oppose these lucrative contracts. Soft drink contracts are not free money. So, soda contracts represent an important health choice.