Pro Sponsorships

[Doug Hodel]

I was at the book store yesterday with my wife and I decided to see if there were any fishing books. Well they just happened to have a copy of Mike Ike's autobiography which has a little bit of insided information.

Well I was really surprised at how much money a traveling pro has to put out from his own pocket. The boat deals (I guess some have to pay for their boat after the season is over), discounts on equipment, paying their own entry fees.

It just seems to me that the companies these pro's represent are getting rich off their hard work. I feel that these pro's should be spending very little of their money to fish at that level.

Just my thoughts.

[Tobe]

I'm with ya Doug,

It probably starts in the infancy of their fishing careers.

I have some friends that are "sponsored" and although they only fish western regional pro opens and local team tournaments it seems to me their "sponsors" benefit much more from the arrangement than the anglers.

Maybe it is all worth it to them to work several days at a trade show and the promise of bigger and better things to come in exchange for a discount on baits, rods, helmets etc.

And I am sure there are some who just want to be a part of something and are willing to put up with it for a patch on their shirt and be part of the “Teamâ€

[DanO]

I'm sure that many would disagree with me, but to me, it is no different than "investing in your career" if it were not as a tournament angler.

I spent the money and to go to college, to get a degree to improve my earning potential. A contractor has to invest in a liscence and tools and equipment to perform his job; and the list goes on.

Each of these anglers negotiates his or her deals with their sponsors, and those sponsors expect a Return on Investment for their contribution, and from people I've talked to, the expected ROI can be quite high.

Like I said, I'm sure that many will disagree, but none of our jobs will cover all of our expenses; they should give us ample opportunity to prove our standing through our performance, and therefore improve our packages; the fishing industry works much the same.

There are exceptions, and there are some anglers making great livings doing this, while their winnings are purely profit. However, most of them break even most of the time.

If the anglers work together (like the PGA, NFL or MLB players unions) they could potentially set some standards, but it is going to take a while, fishing is a very individualized sport, as are the anglers very independant.

My$0.02, take it for what its worth.

DanO

[kb]

There are many different levels of sponsorships in the fishing industry and from all outward appearances they are hard to distinquish. Take boats for example, many guys that have "boat sponsorships" have recieved a small discount on a boat they purchase, this sponsorship comes with the shirts, hats and jackets and is a great opportunity for an angler to prove his worth to not only the boat company but the dealerships that sell that boat by working promotions, shows etc.

The next step with boats is where an angler will get a boat to use for the year, at the end of the 365 day billing period that angler is responsible to pay that bill either by selling that boat or taking out a loan, most of the guys will sell them and get a current model year boat. The amount of discount varies with these sponsorship and often times the angler makes a little bit of money or at least breaks even. This deal comes with the same clothing as the prior deal so it is hard to distinguish between the two. The next step is a much deeper discount or a no charge boat. This only happens with a very small percentage of anglers.

Motor companies are usually a seperate deal although some companies package them together.

Lure, rods, line, electronics, reels, trolling motors are all great companies to get involved with and can prove your worth to other companies. This usually gets you a discount on product or an allottment of free product from the company. In return the companies expect a certain amount of time at shows or promotions, new product ideas and reviews, field testing new products, press and media. As Dan said this is an investment in your future.

There are a few anglers out here that get how the sponsorship game is played and few more that are learning pretty fast, there is another group that want all the sponsors, want to do nothing, make alot of money, quit their job and give back nothing. I don't know how the view from fantasyland is but it is a fantasy.

I spent about 15 days at home from January 1 to April 15 this year, I was in 10 different cities for shows from 3-6 days, did over 60 tank demonstrations and seminars, produced a weekly radio show, sold ads for that show, tried to fish (not very well this spring by the way) worked 15 special promotions and in-store promotions. I can't wait for Fathers Day weekend, oh that is right I have to be at another promotion for Mercury on that Saturday, at Gone Fishing Marine, it should be fun and I am looking forward to it.

Gary D is one fo the other guys that runs his butt off for his sponsors and does a great job, he hasn't been an easy project as he used to threaten me with bodily harm if I booked him on a demo tank, put him on the radio or arranged a television deal for him. You guys don't remember when Skeet used to show up at the shows and hope he could get a spot or two on the tank, work all day in the booth for 75-100 dollars and that was an investment in his career, now you damn near have to buy him a new car to get him at a show for a day and he won't spend any time in the booth and he isn't expected to.

Anglers Marine does a great event and if you have any companies you guys are working with the Bass A Thon is a great idea to try to attend.

I am looking forward to July when I head back to Nashville for the Triton Dealers meeting and then straight to ICAST in Las Vegas for a couple of days seeing old sponsors and meeting new ones. It is a business guys and you have to treat it as one or don't try to make it your day job.

I agree Doug we should be making alot more money!!! I have a list of references you could call for me and get that ball rolling if you want.

kb

[Triton Mike]

If your going to Icast be sure to have Gary D bring you to see me. I'd love to meet ya. I hear ya on the 60 tank demo's!! I lost my voice back in February and still haven't gotten it back.

Mike

[jamie cyphers]

Was just wondering who KB was ? Found your post very informative. Don't visit this site much probably should......... As to the original statement I have to aggree most pros spend a tremendous amount of money out of their pockets. Many are not breaking even! and many more will come and go just as they always have. Most do it like all of us for the love of fishing, following a dream, and the competetive aspects, oh yea ego I am sure plays a role. It would be nice to see pros make more from their sponsors, at the same time lets be realistic how inffluencial are most of them to a companies business? Many are banking on the future growth of the sport which is the only way sponsorships will get bigger. Many more are counting on family money or individuals that help. Even anglers that run all over working shows, doing promos, are not making huge money. Consider this I would say, at this point in time and this is only my guess! That most Elite Series pros are not getting a hundred grand in actual sponsorship money! And that is about what it cost annual to compete! So if your not at the top your probably barely making it. The misconception is many people perceive that most pro anglers are rich because they are famous, I believe nothing could be further from the truth. But hopefully that will change

[Bob Lim]

Jamie........fyi......KB he is BDO's puppet

[rmcollins3]

This is also just what I've heard, but I think the non-endemic sponsors pay out a lot more in cash that do the endemic sponsors.

It's the same way with a lot of other sports as well. For instance, Tiger Woods gets paid BIG MONEY by Nike (largely non-endemic) but probably gets very little by any other company - probably because NIKE pays him not to.

You have to give credit where it's due though. Since ESPN took over BASS and started airing more and more shows, sponsorships have taken off and are getting better and better. As long as the sport continues to grow, they will continue to get bigger IMO.

Furthermore, I would venture to guess that non-endemic sponsors don't require as much of a time commitment as actual fishing-related sponsors. For instance, if an angler is sponsored by United Airlines, for example, there won't be many tank demonstrations for them. And I doubt he's going to have to go fly a plane any time soon! Byron Velvick and Aaron Martens also have big non-endemic sponsorships by softdrink companies. My guess is that they don't have to actually do a whole lot except wrap their boats and trucks with the logo.

Just my .02

[Colebass]

a little like your post.......

a little myth-but all legend

great information from Kent, thanks KB!

[mark poulson]

[WCRODS]

kb
I see that you are going to Nashville in July for a Triton Boats meeting. I live 2 hours north of Nashville and going to a Rod Builders Show in July in Shelbyville just south of Nashville. Let me know the dates in July maybe I can stop in Nashville and you can catch me up on all the latest.
It’s all most been a year since I moved out of California.

Lynn

[Colebass]

liking it?

Still building rods, I see. Send me your number, I may want you to build something.

[WCRODS]

Dave

I really like it here, we got in our house in November and I just finish getting the shop set up.
Yes I am still building rods more than ever. I have started turning my own handles and reel seats this keeps me really busy.
Send me an E-mail and let me know what you've been up to.

wcrods@adelphia.net

Lynn Williams
Williams Custom Rods

[profisha1]

The problem with todays sponsorships is the number of anglers battleing for what few spots are available. In the major sports (baseball, basketball, ect.) you dont see athletes in the Triple A's or middle level pro recieving anything. But in our sport of fishing, everyone thinks that they deserve some form of sponsorship and want to look the part rather then fish the part. Companies can pick up 5 regular anglers for the price of 1 actual pro. These 5 anglers will wear the shirts, hats ect, and work shows for basically nothing. This makes the pros have to do way more to show their value, and basically we are cutting our own throats. Most anglers try to get the most patches on their shirts and look like the biggest pro even though they have never caught a dang bass. But nobody knows the wiser unless you look up stats or pay attention to finishes. It doesnt matter if you spent 50,000 a year or 5000 a year, most of the time you get the same sponsorship!!! It really depends on how large you name is in the sport and how much you are in the spot light, to get anything worth something.

just my .02

RJ Bennett

[Hollywood]

RJ couldnt of said it better, all the people who will wear the patch for free or free product or discounts are a better value for the tackle companies then paying someone. I have been lucky enough to run a wrapped boat a few years back that encluded a paid cash deal with many companies and a big japanese company. all the people who wear the clothing and patches for free take away from the money that could be going as they dont need to pay anyone if a million people where there items for free. In the past I personally woulnd't wear a patch or item if it didn't include some type of monetary value in it. If it wasn't a cash deal I needed enough equipment that could be sold instead of a cash deal.

I had a boat alarm company who couldn't pay me cash each month but I recieved a certain amount of alarm systems each month that I could sell to suppliment for a cash deal.


kevin

[Tobe]

Very good Synopsis from RJ and Kevin.

[jamie cyphers]

ALOT OF INTERESTING IDEAS HERE!

[Colebass]

From a business prespective it makes total sense for the sponsor to get what they can for free or discounted.

Now from the angler point, what value have you brought to the table? Most angler's are standing there with their hands out, saying give me this or give me that. RJ, it seems you may be saying that angler's are wrong to take discounted stuff. But, I remember when you and Micheal started! You had one big finish under your belt and had sponsored shirts, hat's and the like. It's the nature of the beast when you approach "industry sponsors". I would encourage folks, to reach outside the industry! Your value can be better "sold" to those sponsor as exposure and hits to their websites and such!

I am currently work with several outside industry sponsors for cash or "in kind" deals, it may go no where.........but the fish companies are sponsored out or you get little "help" or pay.

Best of luck out on the trail RJ.

[Bob Lim]

Actually Jamie..........First of all I owe Kent Brown an apology for my posting it was meant to be posted in a joking matter, and i don't want folks on this forum to take it with the wrong meaning. KB has been around this sport for a good number of years I can remember Kent when I first met him (he was just out of diapers... and still ****ing yellow lol omg I'm going to pay for this one huh KB) and thru the years in the industry Kent has become an AMBASSADOR to us bass fishermen and women. With the knowleadge of tournament fishing to teaching our future young fisherman bass fishing 101. Oh Jamie by the way KB is from Northern California and he has a radio program that can be heard LIVE on Sports 1140 AM each Saturday morning."Ultimate Bass With Kent Brown" on the west coast.


So Kent keep up the good work and hope you accept my apology thank you...........Bob Lim

[jamie cyphers]

Thanks Bob I didn't really get the puppet remark, but as I said I have not got on here much, so kinda figured it was inside joke.
I work for Legend Boats and was just watching a post where some guys were commenting on our new Alpha Boats we just released, a friend Roy Hawk was pointing me to the post when i saw this one and just had to look........ I like most everyone have been fishing events at all levels for the last decade here in the west and a little back east. I have worked real hard to utilize my education to further myself in this indusrty with out prostituting myself for peanuts..... much like KB said it is a business and it takes lots of travel, lot's of promotion, and lot's of hard work. I have to say that as an insider to the business there were some definite good quotes posted here as well as some I don't agree with. But it is nice to see different oppinions, on why overall sponsorship money is not huge in this sport.

[ash]

Why do you need that Uber Legend Boat to get around NewCastle, that pond is only three times your boats Lenght HAR!

Besides from what Johnny G tells me, the only bait sponsor you need up there is Granola, cause those smallies eat granola wrappers like they are going out of style.

(if you cant tell I use to run with Jhon Gorman, and have been on Newcastle before)

Later

Jonathan

[kb]

No problem and thanks Limbo. I will see you soon and you can buy lunch....

kb

[jamie cyphers]

Johnnyyyy Utahhhh is a stud..... One of a kind!!! I had the pleasure of taking John out there when he first moved up here, Ron Cervenka hooked us up, there is a lot of good fishing in these parts, much of it overlooked because the lack of population, which is nice..... of course I moved here from Ventura in 1991.... and now about every one of my neighbors are from SO CAL as well, so that's pretty cool!!!

Will be seeing John in the morning for an ABA event.... better go buy some G bars tonight........lol