For the Love of Ink: Major League Soccer Seeks Tattoo Artist
Image c/o: Philadelphia Union
Tattoo artists who enjoy drawing snakes, engaging in social media and profess a love for soccer may want to consider quitting their day jobs. The Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer seeks to hire a Chief Tattoo Officer to handle all of the team's body art needs.
For the love of ink. The unorthodox role, the first of its kind for a soccer franchise, will provide internal services to Philadelphia Union players and staff including Doug Vosik, the club's vice president of marketing who came up with the idea and is in line for the first club-sponsored tattoo.
Vosik said players and coaching staff may follow his lead and that fans may be able to get tattoos at special events. And he's not kidding. Vosik said the idea is to energize the Philadelphia Union brand among the club's younger fan base.
“To me, one of the most important things is this is not a stunt,” said Vosik. “This is a legit partner we’re bringing on board to take care of our players and do some really fun things with fans eventually, once we have a shop.”
Vosik, who joined the Union last year, said eligible tattoo artists should have five years experience, and the talent to draw snake designs. That's because a serpent is emblazoned in the team's crest.
"Our hiring process begins immediately," Vosik, who joined the Union last year, said in a statement. "We are looking for a partner with a wide variety of talents and skills, and someone who can offer a broad range including American traditional, as well as Japanese, realism, new school and more."
Gustavo Mitchell, president of Monster Steel, a Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-based e-commerce provider and supplier of a full line of products for the tattoo industry, said tattoos will continue to transition from cult to mainstream and solidify a place in fine art. He said "how to" books and DVDs are helping eager artists to enter the field and sustain the growing demands of consumers.
"Tattoos have become a common means for expression for all segments of society including sports," said Mitchell. "Athletes are like anyone else in that they like tattoos. Look around. You can't watch an NBA game or FIFA soccer match without seeing an image peeking out from under a uniform."
The tattoo industry generates about $2.3 billion in revenue each year. Reports estimate there are some 21,000 active tattoo shops across the nation and at least that many more artists.