What steps does it take to get sponsored?

[PickPocket]

I see a lot of Pro's who are getting sponsored. (I assume interested companies approach them.)

But what about some of the newer/younger or less known players that have sponsorships?

How does one achieve Sponsorship? What was your road like, what did it take?

Just curious...

 

[Black-Balled]

Well, for me, personally...

I learned how to play pool, crawled to a collige digree, got a job and an atm card and I get to do what I want.

Just think about it from the sponsor's perspective. The sponsor has to see value added by handing money over.

Unless one has won a few majors, he's gonna have a very low degree of probability of gettin anything of substance.

 

[Eddie May]

Well, for me, personally...

I learned how to play pool, crawled to a collige digree, got a job and an atm card and I get to do what I want.

Just think about it from the sponsor's perspective. The sponsor has to see value added by handing money over.

Unless one has won a few majors, he's gonna have a very low degree of probability of gettin anything of substance.

This is not necassarily true... Sponsorships are for many things, including the best in a specific field, but you can get them for many other things than just wins.

I have a lot of experience with gaining sponsorships and keeping them, not with pool.

 

[gulyassy]

For me it has to be with selling product. I used to work for It's George Cues and Cases when I was playing and I sold a ton of product for them and being a dealer I made good money. I represented It's George at all times. I was proud to be member of their team. I originally bought a cue from them at a good price then presented my resume then became a dealer. I put input in the company with ideas and selling their product at tournaments and my home area. I came up with the It's George Jump cue and the It's George Merry Widow. I was very fortunate working with Bill Schick who was there at the time designing and building the It's George Cue Line. I sold hundreds of cues and cases for the company and made my money plus doing the tournaments playing and working together, I made a great living. If you are not one of the top 8 players in the US then a sponsorship is still available but only if you believe in a product and can work for the company. This makes everybody happy including you.

 

[Eddie May]

For me it has to be with selling product. I used to work for It's George Cues and Cases when I was playing and I sold a ton of product for them and being a dealer I made good money. I represented It's George at all times. I was proud to be member of their team. I originally bought a cue from them at a good price then presented my resume then became a dealer. I put input in the company with ideas and selling their product at tournaments and my home area. I came up with the It's George Jump cue and the It's George Merry Widow. I was very fortunate working with Bill Schick who was there at the time designing and building the It's George Cue Line. I sold hundreds of cues and cases for the company and made my money plus doing the tournaments playing and working together, I made a great living. If you are not one of the top 8 players in the US then a sponsorship is still available but only if you believe in a product and can work for the company. This makes everybody happy including you.

Also not true... You don't not have to "work" for the company.

 

[Ratta]

Well,

the person who is *going to be sponsored* has to fit for the product.
The company usually expects to finally sell more of their products

And what s also important: If someone wants to get sponsored....he has to contact several companies

 

[Cdryden]

Are you wanting product sponsorship or cash sponsorship, because believe me they are worlds apart. It is relatively easy to get product sponsorship if you have some talent. But, if money is what you are after you will need to be in the elite group. Manufacturers of billiard products typically dont have alot of cash to throw around for players, they are already doing alot to sponsor events.

But many of them are willing to part with a few pieces of merchandise to help get their name out there.

 

[gulyassy]

Also not true... You don't not have to "work" for the company.

You do if you want to work for me. I found that this partnership is not only solid but the benefits are more available. A player that can't beat me is not going very far on the tour and he becomes a burden to a company very quick. A dealer that represents me has all the room and time in the world to get some where in his game. How many companies do you think are out there that feel like putting up money for a middle of the road finisher.

 

[RRfireblade]

Many many levels of sponsorships exist.

From a full free ride to as little as simple discounted pricing. Even as little as wear our patch and you can play with our product, like Predator did to flood the pro ranks back in the day. Or as in some form of racing (and others), if you win while advertising our product (stickers/patches/etc) we'll give you an additional check.

In all cases, some exchange of compensation are expected. Publicity, advertising, exposure....even some form of 'repayment'. Any of these can be used to strike a deal between the 2 parties and can come in many forms. Skill? Stage of use? Intangible factors like popularity or large breastisis.

If you can convince one party of the value in the exchange , then you can most likely form a deal.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

I see a lot of Pro's who are getting sponsored. (I assume interested companies approach them.)

But what about some of the newer/younger or less known players that have sponsorships?

How does one achieve Sponsorship? What was your road like, what did it take?

Just curious...

Its easy. Don't miss

 

[RunoutJJ]

I'm sponsored by one company and one cuemaker. Basically I got free stuff and support and promtoe them wherever I go. I'm obviously not a big deal so I got what I wanted anyway. Its nice to tell people you are sponsored by so and so but I make sure to tell them it isn't a big deal. Just some free stuff to make you feel good about you and your game. Thank you Mark and Tony :thumbup2:

 

[PickPocket]

Thanks to All of you so far!

Honestly It's pretty obvious I'm NOT Pro material at this point. Not looking for the cash aspects either. I like the idea of endorsing a product I already believe in or use. This would be something that could suite me just fine.

Thanks so far for all the great Feedback! :thumbup:

 

[dardusm]

I see a lot of Pro's who are getting sponsored. (I assume interested companies approach them.)

But what about some of the newer/younger or less known players that have sponsorships?

How does one achieve Sponsorship? What was your road like, what did it take?

Just curious...

Listen to what Mike G. has to say on the subject. He has been on both ends of sponsorship. Others in this thread also make some very good points. You need to create value in order for someone to sponsor you. Always present yourself in a professional manner and create a positive image. When you are playing, you never know who is watching and who could become a sponsor. Good Luck.

 

[Cdryden]

Honestly It's pretty obvious I'm NOT Pro material at this point. Not looking for the cash aspects either. I like the idea of endorsing a product I already believe in or use. This would be something that could suite me just fine.

Thanks so far for all the great Feedback! :thumbup:

If this is your goal then simply contact the manufacturer and explain to them what it is you want to do. They either will or they wont and it never hurts to ask. Good luck to you.

 

[briankenobi]

"You need to create value in order for someone to sponsor you. Always present yourself in a professional manner and create a positive image. When you are playing, you never know who is watching and who could become a sponsor. Good Luck. "


This is correct. This happened to me. A few years ago I attended to the Super Billiard Expo to hang with my friends Steve Lillis and Tom Rossman in the GTS Booth and play in the amateur event. The new game of bobbleball was being demo'd in the GTS booth as well. I got to be good freinds with the inventor. I ended up demonstrating the game for people and was playing people from the audience. Since I was dressed nice and acted like a pro, some thought I was a pro. Fast forward to now and I have a partial sponsorship from Bobbleball to play in Derby City. I am wearing a patch they made for me as well as a GTS patch as I am a full fledged trick shot artist with them now.

So I think if people like you and you can help promote them, you can prolly get a deal from them.

 

[Eddie May]

You do if you want to work for me. I found that this partnership is not only solid but the benefits are more available. A player that can't beat me is not going very far on the tour and he becomes a burden to a company very quick. A dealer that represents me has all the room and time in the world to get some where in his game. How many companies do you think are out there that feel like putting up money for a middle of the road finisher.

I think we are on 2 completely different subjects here.... You keep using the word "Dealer" which I might inffer with "representative". This is a differen between those 2 things and being a sponsored player of any sport.

Tiger woods is sponsored by nike. He does not WORK for nike, but in his sponsorship contract is states he must always wear nike shoes and do X amount of commercials.

Tiger woods also endorses Nikes tiger woods model golf cleat. Still tiger woods does not WORK for nike, but in his endorsement contract he is required to do X amount of store appearances promoting the shoe.

Joe Random is a rep for Addidas shoes. He likes to wear addidas because he gets a good deal (maybe free) on them and he just loves there shoes. Joe is not under contract to wear the shoes. Joe carries sample shoes with him in his car to let people try on, because joe gets X everytime someone buys a pair of addidas and says that he referred them...

Tiger woods gets paid no matter how many nikes sell. Joe gets money based on what he sells. Big difference between a sponsored/endorsed player and a rep or dealer.

 

[Black-Balled]

This is not necassarily true... Sponsorships are for many things, including the best in a specific field, but you can get them for many other things than just wins.
I have a lot of experience with gaining sponsorships and keeping them, not with pool.

Also not true... You don't not have to "work" for the company.

I hope that you come up with some substance by the time I get to the end of this thread!

 

[Eddie May]

I hope that you come up with some substance by the time I get to the end of this thread!

I am a heavily sponsored player in the paintball world. I have ran many teams that have obatined sponsorships. But I am at work and do not have 10 minutes the write out the process. I will later.

 

[Black-Balled]

Honestly It's pretty obvious I'm NOT Pro material at this point. Not looking for the cash aspects either. I like the idea of endorsing a product I already believe in or use. This would be something that could suite me just fine.

Thanks so far for all the great Feedback! :thumbup:

Wear the t-shirt then...I don't follow.

You want to 'endorse' and not get $? I can answer for every pool company: go.

 

[Black-Balled]

I am a heavily sponsored player in the paintball world. I have ran many teams that have obatined sponsorships. But I am at work and do not have 10 minutes the write out the process. I will later.

A fine answer!

I am tired of work, so tell us:wink:!