Hey all...

Out of pure curiosity, I was wondering, once you have made contact with a potential sponsor (resume etc.) what sort of "deal" is normally struck between the sponsor and sponsoree? Is it tackle or equipment free of charge, or at a reduced price? (10%...20% off??) What do they expect of the sponsored angler?

I am sure this is all relative based on the anglers exposure and the size of the company (grass roots VS. established company etc.) Just wanted to pick the brains here. I know many of the members here have sponsors from local companies to national brands. I appreciate any insight.

It really depends on what product category the company dabbles in.  Most boat deals start off 5-10% off dealer cost and can go as deep as memo boats and, I don't know from experience, free product.  I have been fortunate to make some contacts with rod/reel companies and they tend to sell it at what I believe the dealers probably pay for it (roughly 35-50% off).  This is all good and well but the only one that really sacrifices in this kind of deal are the dealers themselves since the middle man has been cut out.  Bait and consumable items tend to be at a discounted price or, especially if it is something that isn't replaced all that often, are free.  Depending on the company they might give an angler an allotment or not. 

Alot of times what the sponsor expects far outweighs what the angler gets in return but there are a few deals that are mutually beneficial.  At the grassroots level, it is a lot of hard work in order to prove your worth with hopes that it can turn into a lucrative arrangement later. 

This is just what I have seen personally and don't know if this is normal or abnormal.  Personally, I get more enjoyment out of working with the smaller companies that you can honestly show that you make a difference in their bottom line.  I like the one on one interaction and they really truely appreciate what you do for them. 

The guys I know that have a boat deal have explained it this way.

Company furnishes the boat to the angler at start of the year.

Paperwork with cost of boat is finalized at the beginning of year.

Angler fishes and promotes out of the boat during the year.

A specified date is set for payment for use of the boat.

Angler should have the boat sold at that time.

Company delivers next year's boat.

If prior year boat is unsold, angler must pay company for the boat he has fished from in prior year.

New year's boat sits until older boat is sold.

When boat is sold the company takes it back, and goes over it to ensure everything is in working order before new owner takes it.

I know several that have ended up with two boats on their hands more than a few times. It does create a hardship.

I am in no way saying that all boat deals are done this way. Just the few I am familiar with. I'm sure some have deals that cost them nothing. I just don't know that for a fact.

Jack

I have heard of this fishfordollars,

Not quite what I was talking about. I believe this is a Pro Staff type job. Anyone can do this if you have good credit. You are a "salesman" for that brand of boat. (I know a guy who had that offer at a BPS near me, but he didn't like the idea of possibly getting stuck with two boats.) For this, Nitro, for example will "appoint" you (for lack of a better word) a member of their "Nitro Pro Staff Team" ad let you put yourself out as such when in effect, you are nothing more than a salesman for Nitro. And if you don't sell the boat, YOU have to buy it. They won't take it back from you.

I should have been more specific.

For the sake of this thread, lets confine the conversation to baits, rods, reels and they like, small ticket items, either from a grass roots outfit, or a national vendor.

Alan

Will do. Sorry if I hijacked. It was not my intention.

No not at all!!!

I should have been more specific!!! 

I just got on tier 2 prostaff and tier 4 is touring pros and tier 3 is for guys that fish the opens and bigger tournaments.

In my tier 2 package I get wholesale cost on all rods, all baits are free.

for every 10 rods at retail I get a free rod and 15$ for every one of those rods

for every 50 rods sold at wholesale I get a free rod and 2$ per rod sold.

as an angler w/ 10 sponsors this task is as hard as you make it. be friendly and be prepared to take no for an answer. all of my sponsors are cash. however you have to start out slow and cheap. don't be afraid to ask anyone all of my sponsors have nothing to do with fishing. i started asking for 70$ now I'm up to a hundred a piece.one circuit i fish is pd n full thanks to my sponsors

as an angler w/ 10 sponsors this task is as hard as you make it. be friendly and be prepared to take no for an answer. all of my sponsors are cash. however you have to start out slow and cheap. don't be afraid to ask anyone all of my sponsors have nothing to do with fishing. i started asking for 70$ now I'm up to a hundred a piece.one circuit i fish is pd n full thanks to my sponsors

I wish I knew how to read Cuniform.

I have heard from quite a few sponsored tournament anglers that many "sponsorships" aren't what they are cracked up to be.

I think cart paints a pretty good picture.

Some get all the soft plastics (for instance) they want, but then spend hundreds of dollars in gas, and days at fishing shows and seminars promoting product.

As I understand it, even the big time pro's have sponsors like this sometimes. Gamma tried to give big name guys TINY sponsorships. To the effect of it SAVING money to not be sponsored by them.

Sounds to me like it's better getting non-fishing related sponsors??? :-?