The Flowers on Soccer’s Wall

Herculez Gomez in his Seattle Sounders Kit.

Herculez Gomez, a former U.S. soccer player turned commentator, has become a familiar face on podcasts and television sports shows. He frequently discusses topics related to Liga MX, MLS, and the U.S. Men's National Team. In a landscape saturated with soccer pundits, Gomez stands out. He's a former player who offers insightful commentary and isn't afraid to share controversial opinions. Moreover, his personal experience spans both the Mexican and American soccer scenes.

There is something else however that is intriguing about Gomez's regular YouTube and television appearances, his video backdrop. Unlike many soccer commentators who decorate their backgrounds with scarves, jerseys, or other sports memorabilia, Gomez has chosen a neon-lit square depiction of flowers. This isn't just any artwork; it's a licensed product from Yellow Pop, based on an image licensed from the Andy Warhol Foundation. The image is, in fact, one of Andy Warhol's iconic "Flowers" silkscreen paintings.

Gomez in front of his “Flowers” backdrop

Warhol first introduced these “Flower” paintings in 1964 at the Leo Castelli Gallery. The gallery was adorned from floor to ceiling with various renditions of the flowers, painted in the vibrant colors characteristic of the 1960s. Interestingly, Warhol didn't create the original image. He was borrowed it from a photograph in a Modern Photography magazine, taken by Patricia Caulfield, the magazine's executive editor. Warhol adapted the photo, transferring it to silkscreens, and began producing them in a plethora of colors on canvas.

This series marked a departure from Warhol's previous works, which often commented on society's obsession with consumerism and celebrity. Some speculate that the "Flowers" series was Warhol's tribute to Jackie Kennedy, created shortly after the assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy. Others believe it was Warhol's way of poking fun at the art world, suggesting that paintings are merely decorative items people hang above their couches, meant to fade into the background like wallpaper.

Andy Warhol in his studio in forn of numerous “Flower” paintings

Regardless of interpretation, Warhol's "Flowers" have become a staple in the art world. They're everywhere, from posters to museums, familiar yet not always immediately recognized. Warhol himself has become larger than his art, seen as one of the world's first "super art stars." His paintings and silkscreens, once relatively affordable, now fetch tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, symbolizing the astronomical values now associated with fine art but also the disconnect between value and reality in an art world increasingly funded by the super-rich.

Warhol’s “Shot Sage Marilyn” up for auction at Christies, where it would go on to sell for $195 million.

So, why did Gomez choose this particular background image? Perhaps it's a commentary on the current state of world soccer, where player brands often overshadow team loyalty, and astronomical salaries eclipse all else. Maybe Gomez is hinting that soccer, like art, has become more about image and money than genuine connections. Or, maybe he just appreciates the beauty of Warhol's work.

Andy Warhol was undeniably ahead of his time. An openly gay man during an era when it was taboo, even in progressive cities like New York. He embraced new mediums like video and film long before they became mainstream and was often seen as a societal predictor. It is not really surprising that some of his most well-known works has found its way into regular soccer programming as he had a knack for inserting himself into popular culture (take his 1985 appearance on The Love Boat for example). We just wonder if Herc or anyone watching even notices.