Author Topic: How hard is to get a bowling sponsor? (Read 19834 times)

L3nn0n · « **on:** December 15, 2014, 11:50:36 AM »

It may sound silly to some people, but I always wondered how hard is to get a sponsorship from a bowling company. I'm 33, I'm a league bowler, I bowl 3 leagues a week, I just bowled in a couple of tournaments, my average is 210, I'm lefty, etc.

How hard is to be sponsored? Please don't laugh at me if it is a stupid question haha

tommyboy74 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2014, 09:47:43 PM »

Quote from: L3nn0n on December 15, 2014, 08:32:06 PM

Thanks so much to everyone (well, everyone but one) for all your honest and extensive responses. I just been bowling for three years and all this stuff is relatively kind of new for me. I just got curious because I know a guy from a pro shop that he is sponsored by Columbia, he is lefty too and he averages like 215, 220. The difference is that he's bowling in a lot of tournaments and I don't. Next year I want to bowl at least a tournament per month, and I want to end this season with at least 215 in every league.

I know that I still have waaay to many things to improve and I have a lot of room to get better, so I'm pretty confident that I'll get there sooner than later. I'm really motivated (no bowling pun intended) and last week I started a bowling session with a great coach rated in the best 100 coaches in the US. He's great and I'll know he will help me in the medium/long term.

In the meantime, I'll keep reading you all and shooting more questions, regardless of some unhelpful people...

Thanks!

I think you're taking the right approach here in terms of continuing to work on your game. Coaching is always a good thing to have, regardless if you've been in the game for 3 years or much longer. Averaging 210 for only 3 years bowling is also good. Keep working on the fundamentals and you'll be set on that.

From what I've heard about sponsors (my driller is sponsored by Radical), typically they want to see a 220+ average, bowling in 15-20+ tournaments a year, either owning a pro shop or involved with a bowling center (coach, etc), and of course being professional. Are there some cases where the 220+ average could be offset? Sure. The big suggestion I would have is what you're already doing- working on the game. Keep working on your game, be in more tournaments as you've already stated you want to do, and you'll be on your way to potentially earning a staff spot.

MJH · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2014, 03:11:06 AM »

L3nn0n

Marvin J. Hale on Storm staff (I'm on the Storm site under the amateur section for any legitimacy).

Every company has different protocols overall, while also allowing for each RSM/DSM to pickup a bowler based on various criteria ranging from RSM/DSM staffing budget, empty slots that need filling for the brand per geographic area, or perhaps just a good ol' relationship between bowler in question and the RSM/DSM.

Average is relative (probably moreso an issue I have with bowlers thinking average equates to skillset, which my great friend Tony Reyes preached, it's not about average, average is relative to the field. Always be just ahead of average than the field and you always have a chance to win). Averaging 215-220+ in league (minus maybe not-so-house shot friendly conditions) is not as demanding compared to the scoring/competitive environment at say the US Open. My observation regarding average is; the controlled league atmosphere is likely not a good gauge to evaluate talent or skillset. To measure that I believe a bowlers record of tournament cashes, top finishes of decently caliber tournaments provides a more accurate talent gauge).

I've been with Track (when Del Warren was head honcho), Big B (under Mr. Hamlin) EBI (with Snellbaker) Storm for 3 years now and I can say relationship with your RSM/DSM is an honest and genuine approach. Many of us try put ourselves in some elite category, talk ourselves up to gain social proof and acceptance. Go out there and work hard at your craft, be an ambassador, make a splash in the tourneys you compete in, put in leg work to represent yourself as an approachable/knowledgeable bowler... those DSM/RSM's will find out about you and opportunities will likely come your way.

A genuine liking to the equipment helps. Sometimes bowlers want to be on staff for the wrong reasons... or maybe the general shape of the equipment might not fit their style.

In the end I'd imagine it's fair to conclude, ball companies are about sales, performance and loyalty. If we (ball company) give you $1000 in equipment for the year can you double/triple that for us? It's fair to say the days are gone where companies staff bowlers based strictly on bowling merit. Times now arguably are more about company survival, brand awareness, loyalty and longevity.

I hope my thoughts have proved helpful, as I feel anyone that's curious or ambitious enough to pursue being on staff deserves a the right to try their hand regardless what anyone says. No matter what it's still a cool thing. Pursue your dreams and goals.

Good luck

Cheers

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2014, 10:09:43 AM »

I kind of get where NHLfan is coming from though, just to de-escalate things here. We are SO used to people getting on here and figjamming and thinking they DESERVE to be on staff for one reason or another while it's completely obvious to everyone here they're delusional. We're not used to somebody asking an honest question about what they need to work on for the next couple years to meet the requirements. That kind of attitude is extremely uncommon in bowling and even moreso here. Continuing with what Marvin just said, some things are kind of nebulous. A 240 average, while impressive, may not be enough, while saying you have a 210 might not be a nail in the coffin. They will pick a 210 average bowler who works in/owns a pro shop over the 240 league guy every time. Exposing the brand is one thing, being able to generate sales is another.

I've been putting in staff applications for several years, and just finally got an advisory contract for 2015 for Storm, which I'm super excited about. But it took becoming a pro shop manager again this year, knowing the right guy at Storm to contact directly, a couple emails, and getting some good recommendations from a couple people in addition to all the other qualifications I've already had. Not to figjam, just as an example, but I'm on our city board, I've carried a 225+ in a couple leagues for several years, several honor scores, hit a handful of tournaments a year and a couple national ones, I write articles for a small website, I have a youtube channel, this is my 10th year working in a pro shop, etc. Some of it has to do with who in your area is on staff, like it wouldn't make much sense to add you to the Columbia staff if your buddy is already on with them. But all they're really interested in is your ability to sell their equipment, so even though you may get a lot better in the next couple years, get that average up, win some tournaments, that still may not do it. As just an amateur bowler you have to do EXTREMELY well in both league and tournaments to get on staff for just your bowling alone. It's taken me a long time of good bowling and deep involvement in everything bowling in my community plus some help to land a contract. But that's probably the one thing people misunderstand the most, it doesn't really have much to do with how you throw the ball. If you're good at selling their equipment, that's what they're interested in.

Author Topic: How hard is to get a bowling sponsor? (Read 19834 times)

L3nn0n

How hard is to get a bowling sponsor?

tommyboy74

Re: How hard is to get a bowling sponsor?

MJH

Re: How hard is to get a bowling sponsor?

Gizmo823

Re: How hard is to get a bowling sponsor?