And like a good neighbor, Farmers will insure that the Sparks try to keep their heads above water

For some puritan reasons, there was a sense of panic in reports this week when the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury announced it drew up an agreement with a security company that included planted the LifeLock logo onto their tank tops -- and basically stealing the team's identity, which is probably not in their mission statement.

Is this the warning sign that the economy will force major pro leagues to put sponsor logos on their uniforms as well -- a little less obvious than what the herbal vitamin company has done with the MLS' Galaxy, but do we get the picture?

While you mull that over, the Sparks and Farmers Insurance Group today says they've reached a mult-year partnership that includes -- get this -- a branded jersey.

They'll show off the new threads at Saturday's opener -- on ABC, 11:30 a.m.

The team says that as part of "this innovative alliance," Farmers logo will appear on the front of the Sparks jerseys and will have considerable visibility in Staples Center.

"We are honored to be partnering with a company the caliber of Farmers Insurance, which for the last 81 years has been working to improve the lives of families and communities in Southern California and across the country," said Sparks president Kristin Bernert.

OK, ladies. You've officially been branded by the farmer. Just like a herd of cows.

Although, when you really think about it, why wouldn't a WNBA team seek out a better, more suitable marketing partner.

Like ....

Factor new moms like Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker into the equation, and get on board with Gerber's Baby Food, Huggies or ...

Or considering the sterotypical WNBA fan base, why wouldn't this be on the radar:

Maybe, again those who fear the worst will assume that, perhaps, major league baseball will resort to ads on the uniforms (like they do in every other league around the world). Why couldn't the New York Yankees be sponsored by ... oh ... maybe a coroporation that incourages a certain vice that many fans' grandparents didn't think was so bad way back when...