Sponsor Athletes have you ever told a sponsor that you did not like the sponsors equipment and refuse to use it?
Yes, this is usually the case when they have some other option, such as a certain flavor of Gel, different style sunglasses, etc. But I’ve turned down a few sponsors just because I didn’t like their products in general. What’s the point in getting free or discounted gear if you don’t even like it? Plus if you don’t believe in the companies that sponsor you usually don’t end up doing a very good job of talking them up and helping sell thier products so in the end the deal goes sour and you both loose.
Plus, a good company will invite constructive feedback on their product, be it negative or positive.
Granted I only have a few sponsors so this isn’t that well tested of a strategy but the fact that people know that I only use stuff I really think is good stuff has so far paid off better than just selling out for whatever comes along.
Thanks!
What does it take to be sponsored by a large company like powerbar or gatorade?
gatorade, I have no idea
Powerbar-top age group and overall finishes, nice well rounded person who is well liked by the local tri community (this is a big one). If you just want free product this might get you there, if you want money, Pbar (and other nutrition and tri brands) pays you if you get pics of you wearing their logo in the media (TV race results, magazine covers/pics, newspapers).
a couple of my training buddies are sponsored by Powerbar. Hammergel helps me out which is nice because although Powergel is pretty tasty their line is pretty small and Hammergel not only makes awesome products but they make a wide range of awesome products. Love my Perpetuem (well how it works not really the taste although it isn’t bad), espresso hammer gel (YUM), Endurolytes and HEED Mandarin.
No although the chamnois in my cycle sponsors TT suits are awful. Someimes you just have to grimace and bear it…
I know int he tour this happens alot. AMny riders are on different parts that are rebadged with their sponsors logo. I would think for us age groupers that would be a big no no. Yes we are doing the compainies a favor by promoting their products but they are also doing us a big favor. The thing is that they can replace us easier than we can replace them. Think of how many people apply for sponsorship and think of how many sponsors come to you. If you are not gonna use their product then why should they give you anything?
I get sponsored by e-caps.com which makes hammer gel and other things. I dont use everything they make and some things i found dont work for me. But i have found the right stuff that does work from them. The stuff i use, mainly heed and perpetitum energy, i love and would get anyways. I would guess if you have to use their product and not just wear their logo i t might be benificial to try it out first before ssigning on with them.
yeah. Herbert got BMW to sponsor me. I try the one of the new 3 series but didn’t like it at all, so I sent it back and told them not to bother until they actually make nice cars.
More seriously…anyone remembers William Barmasai running 3000 steeple with a swoosh painted on…his feet??! that was awesome…
AARRGGHH> I have to step in here and make note of a pet peve about sponsorship. Sponsors are NOT doing us a favour by sponsoring us. We are providing a valuable service for them and we are being paid to provide that service. Companies sponsor athletes they think will help set that company apart from the others in order to gain a retail advantage. You are right in that we can be replaced and the trick is to make sure the sponsors product is displayed correctly, cleanly and predominately as laid out in your agreement and that no other competitors product show up anywhere within ten feet of you.
Give youself credit where credit is due. e.cap chose you, either through a sponshorship proposal or through contacts, to be their representitve in the field. In effect YOU are e.caps when you compete. No favours, just a business relationship that is advantageous to both sides.
J
Oh yes.
So what happened then Tom ?
Someone has got to produce a picture of the shoeless steeplechase runner?
that is awesome!!
Dan
The Irish rugby team got into a lot of trouble a number of years ago after the national federation accepted a big bucks sponsorship deal with Nike…only problem was that Nike made really crap rugby boots and the players refused to wear them. The solution was to put black boot polish over the Adidas stripes and paint on a swoosh.
First game it rained…jeez that never happens in Ireland!..and the swoosh washed off, followed shortly thereafter by the boot polish. The Nike big wigs at the game were not amused.
My running team is sponsored by New Balance and we get a pretty generous package from them. Free uniforms, and 40% discounts on shoes and apparel. I’ve worn New Balance for years and love the shoes.
We used to be sponsored by Polo RLX and some of their gear was not as good. Anything with a zipper was toast within a month, and the line of shoes they came out with were not only the ugliest in creation but the most uncomfortable too…I think they were Reebok lasts with Polo uppers. Their other apparel was good quality but expensive if you were to buy it in a store. Polo RLX were very generous in their support and gave us a lot of stuff.
Any company that steps up and sponsors an athlete or a team should be commended. For the most part its an investment that rarely garners tangeable returns, and thats what corporate bean counters want these days…goodwill is sooooo 1990s.
I guess it’s a question of how you obtained the sponsorship. I do hear about people trying to get sponsorships just so that they are “sponsored.” I have only applied to sponsors for products that I like and use anyway. After all, that is really what the sponsors want: promote their product positively.
So, if it’s an individual sponsorship, you either a) stop using the product and forego the sponsorship; b) give the sponsor feedback, both positive and negative about their product(s), so that you can use them. If it’s a team sponsorship, you may not be as limited by the contract (although I’m not entirely sure-never had a team sponsorship, only individual ones).
"yeah. Herbert got BMW to sponsor me. I try the one of the new 3 series but didn’t like it at all, so I sent it back and told them not to bother until they actually make nice cars. "
no way! … the '-06 3 series rocks