Sponsorship

[havokrooster]

maybe some of you more experienced teams can help me out here. there have been talks amongst my team about picking up a sponsorship. perhaps you can clue me in by doing some q&a. keep in mind, we are a smaller 10-12 man scenario team based in east tn. we play mainly in the south east.

1. what exactly is sponsorship? i understand the fundamentals. basically, your a walking billboard for their products. but what do you really get in return that would make it worth while?

2. what do sponsorships look for in a team? and vice versa?

3. at what level does a team know they are ready to carry a sponsorship?

4. how do you formally approach a potential sponsor? and how do you know they are the right one for you?

5. what is a typical sponsorship contract composed of? is it a formal legal binding contract?

6. what are some experiences to be expected while playing with a sponsorship? both good and bad.

[Shrub]

It all depends on what you are looking for as a team. If you are looking for a free ride well those are hard to come by...

If you are looking at discounts on goods and services those are easier to come by.

Cash sponsers are next to impossible to get in my experience.

You are not neccessarily a walking billboard for them. That all depends on you as a team and what you are willing to do to advertise for them. This is where Banners come into play.

As for the rewards for sponsership they vary. Most is discounts on products and services usually from a local field or dealer. Most basic sponsership deals are 10% off retail or above cost. Disounts on paint etc.
Some are much more lucrative. As in guns at steep discounts usually straight from the Factory. Gear at little or no cost...Etc. (these are hard to come by)

The rest I'll talk with you about either via pm or face to face at Bearclaw...

All sponsorships are is a way to defray the cost of playing in some form or another while in turn advertising for said sponsers.

[havokrooster]

i think we talked about this some at the last dea game. hard to put faces to an avatar.

[the boss]

Most sponsors want to give you things at wholesale price and in return you are a "walking billboard" True sponsorship is almost a thing of the past.
You have to realize these people get hundreds of calls a day from people all wanting something for free. Getting sponsored is easy getting a good sponsor is hard, take care of them and they will take care of you be honest with what you can do for them and what you want in return. Start with your local field and work your way up. Best of luck

[havokrooster]

ive been asked some questions regarding sponsorship. i just want to be able to answer them. in some aspects i feel we are almost owed one fom some organizations. i mean, i promote the fields and games on numerous forums and in person. and as far as gear, people ask questions and i let them try stuff out and refer them to the vendor. i know alot of folks have listened to us when we tell them about stuff. alot of people got turned on to the vests we wear and bought them and some people come to games we promote. i was just doing it in the name of good paintball.

on the other hand, i like our team independent and self supporting. i dont want to have to commit to so many games per year or commit to having to use a product every time i take the field. i know that every players dream is to play for free. and for most of us, its just that, a dream. we are not looking to be pro ballers. frankly, we are a brand new group with alot to learn still. i think the players that are wanting this just like the idea of looking proffessional and getting free stuff. and who wouldnt.

[Shrub]

You rarely get anything for free I promise you you pay for it one way or another usually.

[drewcif]

Sponsorship is the genesis of many now defunct teams. My honest advice is, Avoid it.

[the boss]

Sponsorship - prostitution kind of the same thing one way or the other you will probably get screwed be careful what you wish for

[havokrooster]

sounds like good advice

[Steers]

Originally Posted by drewcif

Sponsorship is the genesis of many now defunct teams. My honest advice is, Avoid it.

Drew's advice is very sound.

I would think carefully before doing anything.

In my expereienc with other players, sponsors tend to put what seems to be a tight leash on players and what first was a great deal where you recieved free stuff, is now a controlled spyder web that you can't breath in.

What is most dear in paintball is the comaradery between team mates and the enjoyment of the sport....the golden rule I think.