Athlete - What does "Sponsorship" mean?

[JTx]

Yes, this question was prompted by post about a sponsorship offer. And this has NOTHING to do with that post other than it got me curious.

My question to you female athletes is "What is a sposnorship?"

At what level do you/would you say "I am sponsored by _____?"

Is it it money? Is it hotel & airfare? Is there a minimum $ amount/value for you as an athlete to be considered sponsored?

Signed,

Profoundly Curious.

[ISABELLE TURELL]

To me it is alot of things. Being sponsored could be anywhere from money , supplements, airfare, hotel, etc. Bodybuilding is not a cheap sport, especially on a national level. Every bit counts. Some companies offer diffrent things.

I wish I could get a free night show suit. Those things are expensive

[Claire Rohrbacker-OConnel]

I agree with Isabelle, sponsorship is anything from supplement companines offering you free supplements to your local tanning booth letting you tan for free or giving you sessions. Anything and everything helps, because like Isabelle said at the national level it is very expensive for us. Especially travel and that night time suit.

Claire

[JTx]

Thanks for the feedback Isabelle and Claire.

Let me pose the question this way.

"What level makes you tell people that ______ is my sponsor?"

And to answer the unasked question; yes, TrueBodies is considering doing some sponsorships this year. When does an athlete say and proclaim "I am sponsored by TrueBodies?"

[ISABELLE TURELL]

I agree with Isabelle, sponsorship is anything from supplement companines offering you free supplements to your local tanning booth letting you tan for free or giving you sessions. Anything and everything helps, because like Isabelle said at the national level it is very expensive for us. Especially travel and that night time suit.

Claire

Amen Claire :)

[ISABELLE TURELL]

good question.

For me if that sponsor went out of thier way for me. They where part of my transition to my contest body. They helped me get to where I am now, etc.

So it can be any little or big thing. FOr truebodies, I would say that they helped me by promoting me alot with tons of exposure, etc.

[Claire Rohrbacker-OConnel]

Thanks for the feedback Isabelle and Claire.

Let me pose the question this way.

"What level makes you tell people that ______ is my sponsor?"

And to answer the unasked question; yes, TrueBodies is considering doing some sponsorships this year. When does an athlete say and proclaim "I am sponsored by TrueBodies?"


Hi JTx,

I think it comes down to at what point will a company or person sponsor you. You have to have something to offer them or a company won't sponsor you I think. Cytosport is in my area, I am a good athlete and I do well at the shows so when I wrote them they were willing to sponsor me with their product. So I get my protein powders which helps me financially, saves me money per month. I in return tell whoever asks me about nutrition and training about Cytosport products, so I am advertisement for Cytosport. All my husbands personal training clients use Cytosport.

Does this help a little with your question.

Claire

[JTx]

Yes it does.

I guess for me when I think of sponsored athlete I think of someone who appears in promotional material for a company, is at there sponsors booth at trade shows, etc.

I guess I am trying to get a handle on "non traditional" sponsor. And from what your saying that is a HUGE area of grey.

I do appreciate your feedback, it helps!

[MsGuns]

If truebodies or a company help cover the cost for my prep for a show then i would get a tshirt made...saying my gym name on the front and sponsored my Truebodies or that company on the back

When I went to Jr Nationals a bunch of folks donated money to help get me to chitown and hotel stay...

Im still in the process of getting tshirts made w/ all the people who helped me...as a thank u gift and my fav pose pic autographed...

I just had a HS classmate send me money because she said she wanted to help me out cause she know I work hard and might need some extra monies since she helped send me to Miami this past summer.