Sponsorship shmonsorship

[Gyroscope]

Does it seem to anyone else that the whole concept of sponsorship is a trick? I mean, isn't it direct marketing, in most cases, of something the sponsored player might not have spent hard earned cash on otherwise? Not talkin' about free stuff, here, but the more common discounted-goods-type-sponsor.

If I spent an extra thousand dollars on stuff that is 30% off, that's still a lot of cases of paint I never got to shoot. I should mention that some sponsorships are in fact worthwhile to a player, for example anything that lets that player play more or better 'ball. If United were willing to knock 20% off tickets for my team, I am sure that we would be proud to advertise for them. But if I get 20% off a barrel kit that costs $250 retail... well, why? I have a barrel kit. If someone asks my opinion of it, I tell them why I chose it.

I wonder if sponsorship is as popular (with teams) as it is due to the prestige factor. Maybe it is easier to recruit and keep players in a uniform with little logos all over it. I just wonder if those logos are not a practical impediment in some cases.

Free or reduced cost paint, I understand. Travel expenses, definitely. Even free apparrel makes sense for the players, but working any little arrangement so that one more advertisement goes on the banner seems like foolish status display in most cases.

That said, foolishness is not necessarily the same as meaningless.

 

[kidzero]

of course things you say make sense. if you have a top-of-the-edge barrel set, why buy another one just because you get it 20% off? but if your team all play freak sets, why go for a longbow-sponsorship? it only makes sense if longbow in addition would pay you, lets say all entry fees for the millenium series this year, or nppl or whatever your team plays. but if your team aint fully equipped with absolutely high end stuff(means they have to buy this and that by the time) a team-support in form of better prices is not that bad. i've bought my impy+java preset at least 200 euros off the usual price. and thats a deal to me! at least as long as eclipse aint giving stuff away for free

 

[Al Woods]

Dude

Isn't that the point??

Why would sponsors give stuff to teams that aren't gonna promote their company??

Different grades of sponsorship are important for different levels. Like you say, discount off products you already own (different brand maybe) may seem pointless to you but if you are a team with some degree of potential who are in the game to be the best then it's worthwile, in the long run, to all buy this product. Example, Brand X says you can have our £100 barrel at £50. Great but you already own a barrel. If you all buy this barrel you are (a) showing some commitment and (b) giving your team a good professional image, Brand X may be the cool brand at the time and this may lead on to other deals with other companies.

Picture the scene. You buy the barrels and they rock. You then do quite well in a season and Brand X bring out a new version of this barrel. They then say you've been doin well and are impressed with your image and commitment to their brand and voila, here's a full set of new barrels for your team at zero cost. You then sell on your old barrels at the same cost you paid for them......and the beat goes on.

What amazes me is how much sponsorship teams, especially at lower levels, think they deserve. Do they look good?? Do they perform well?? Are they awesome?? Do they show some potential?? The answer often is NO.

Paintball is one of the few sports that sponsors all kinds of fools.

It all helps bro and it all starts pretty small.

 

[kidzero]

Dude

[

What amazes me is how much sponsorship teams, especially at lower levels, think they deserve. Do they look good?? Do they perform well?? Are they awesome?? Do they show some potential?? The answer often is NO.

Paintball is one of the few sports that sponsors all kinds of fools.



true!

 

[kidzero]

huh, i cant quote *LOL*

 

[Raxxman]

and there's always the flip side that the teams with the younger players with less disposable income find it very hard to put forward enough cash to operate a team for any length of time and /or intensity. After all some of these younger players could well be filling your shoes when (heaven forbid) you realise that you're just a tinsy bit too old


Keith

York Scholars

Fat Bobs Paintball

 

[JohnJ]

Age isn't the main factor - ability is.
Any team thats worth its salt will always be looking to improve its squad and heavily sponsored teams will, rightly or wrongly, be able to attract good players.

JJ

 

[Tyger]

I think the point here isn't "Sponsorship"...

I think the main thrust of contention is that what is often called "sponsorship" is more of a "group discount" than actual sponsorship.

IE : My team buys 7 jerseys, 7 pants, and 7 goggle systems from a company. That company gives us a price break on the whole kit, and calls it a "Sponsorship". I looked it up, the definition of sponsorship : "One that finances a project or an event carried out by another person or group, especially a business enterprise that pays for radio or television programming in return for advertising time. " It's hardly that.

Just call it a "Team discount". Full sponsorships are rare to come by, but the term is thrown around like it's common.

-Tyger

 

[Gyroscope]

Full sponsorships are rare to come by, but the term is thrown around like it's common.

-Tyger

Because of the draw for new recruits? "Sponsorship" is a sexier term than "bulk discount".

I think JohnJ is correct, but I think it is worthwhile to investigate what actually constitutes a team's sponsorship package before joining. Otherwise, one is taking on as much liability as benefit.

Al Wood, I see what you mean with building a relationship that becomes a real sponsorship, but it seems a risky and expensive way to save money. Also, as you say, a lot of teams beg for free stuff without merit to their petitions. This notion that "all sponsorships are good" is part of the reason for that.

 

[Al Woods]

Gyro

You're right, not all sponsorships / discounts are a worthy investment. You gotta really look into the overall cost and whether or not you think there will be some room for growth.

Also, you need to be honest with yourselves and look at your talent as a team. There aint no need to invest hundreds if you know deep down you won't win much or even look that great through the season, these are the things that will help develop a discount into something greater. Image is definately a key factor. If you do get interest by someone but it may end up costing the same as entry for your next few tournaments then say thanks but we don't think we're ready to commit yet. Then you can spend your cash on events, develop as a team, rip some **** up THEN the same company might say "we've been watching you this year, hows about this...." which may grow and grow....But this time around you might get another company with similar or better offers. You will then become a property and invite better deals. You just gotta think about it really. a lot teams do spend too much cash on discount deals (I agree with you on that) that don't really help them that much, just so they can boast about having a 'sponsorship', which is hardly that. Like I said, tey arev worthy investments IF you can honestly say you have a good team with a future, if not then there aint no point.