Memorabilia
Sportsnet Gold Plated Pin
During the preparation for the 2010 Olympics in which we at Sportsnet were partnered with CTV and TSN, the consortium was formed between Rogers and Bell to lead the way. My function was to assist and watch the financials from Rogers' side.
As I was involved in many Olympics before I knew having pins out there was going to assist our crew and staff in many ways. So as our partners TSN CTV RDS OMNI APTN V, I requested we do as many as the Olympic Organizing Committee would allow us. That is why Sportsnet was able to do different versions of the first rectangle pin. We did it in Silver for executives and Silver and White for clients and finally colored rings instead of the gold as just another version.
As we had to use the official supplier “Artiss”, nothing could be deviated and we would not go against the rules. An old supplier of Sportsnet before the Rogers Communication purchase of Sportsnet sent us a sample of around 50 to 75 small gold plated Sportsnet logo pins with small diamond or cubic chip that he thought would look good on the commentators' lapels on air during the Olympics. These had no rings or year or city name on them so would not be offside with the rules. A few were given to the commentators and the feedback I received was the reflection from the gold or diamond chip did not work with the cameras. To this day I really do not know if that was the reason although plausible or they just did not want to wear them on air.