A sponsorship is not a reward for playing well. You are not supposed to get them because you can play great. A sponsorship is a business deal in which the player must generate more revenue for the company than they cost. Let's face it, most pro's either do not understand this or do not have the skills or personality to maximize the opportunity's they do get. In most cases it is no ones fault in particular it is just a skill set that most people do not have unless they dedicate themselves to learning it. Look at Jeanette, she has worked very hard to become a great represenative for any company she does business with. If more players studied how and what she does to get and maintain sponsorships and outside engagements I think they would be well served.
A sponsorship is nothing more than a sales position. It is a job, not free money for playing great. The players who get this: Jeanette Lee, Shawn Putnam, Allison Fisher, Gabe Owen to name a few understand what it takes to get and keep sponsors happy. An example: Shawn Putnam is very good about mentioning his sponsors everytime he is in front of a mic or when he is around a group of people. This is what companys look for.
I met Shannelle last year at the World 10 Ball and was very impressed by her outgoing personality and how friendly and genuinely enthusiastic she is about the game. The fact that she is not a top level player has no bearing on her ability to represent a company. I think she will do very well and is a good fit for the product she is endorsing/sponsored by. It is not meant for the guy with a case full of South West's and Searing's it is an entry level cue for players who are not into high end cues.
If an instructor doesn't have to be a pro to teach the game why does someone have to be a pro to sell cues? Lot of sour grapes here.
) and could play a little (which I can't
) who's to say I wouldn't do the same?
