BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: L3nn0n on December 15, 2014, 11:50:36 AM
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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 :-[
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Most sponsorship is done for sales. If you can create sales for them you might be able to
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It's pretty difficult and it takes a while. Also pretty hard to do without higher profile contacts. As just a bowler, you REALLY have to be good to be on a staff. If you're in the industry or could have a direct impact on increasing their sales, it's a bit of a different story but it's still pretty hard.
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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 :-[
From this description...impossible unless you are related to, or great friends with, someone in the company from which you want sponsership.
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You have to realize that ball companies are in the business of making money. You have a limited number of staff spots, and thousands of applicants, so you need to do something to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack. In order to get sponsored (be on staff) by a bowling company, you have to be able to do something for them. Which is the ability to sell and market equipment for them. The company needs to feel like they are getting some benefit out of providing you with free equipment. Most times you either need to own or work in a pro shop just to be considered. Most ball companies only have a set amount of staff members by region, so if there is someone already on staff with a specific company in your area, it will become increasingly less likely for them to select you. Bowling in multiple leagues won't really help, because ball companies are looking for exposure. League bowling typically limits you to one or two houses in a very small area. Companies are looking for bowlers who not only bowl in a lot of tournaments, but bowl in them successfully. To make an analogy, who is more likely to get a contract with some type of equipment outfitter in the MLB? The major league all-star, or an average minor league player? They typically look for high caliber bowlers. Where a 210 average doesn't really fall into that category, you could potentially offset that with consistently bowling successfully in a lot of tournaments, and working in a proshop. Good luck!
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Unless you're truly an elite talent - PDW, Walter Ray, PBIII, etc. - it mostly comes down to whether or not they think that you can help them move product. This isn't to say that they don't want you to be a good bowler because that certainly helps too; however, they'd be likely to take a 190-average bowler who owns a shop and sells tons of balls than a 220-average bowler who doesn't.
As such, if you want to get on staff, you need to show them that you bring more to the table than just a high league average and a bunch of honor scores. You need to bowl a lot events (leagues, tournaments, sweepers, PBA, etc.) to keep their products visible. You need to show them that you are well-respected, polite, professional, and approachable, not some egotistical hot shot who nobody wants to talk to. Again, if they're going to do something for you - provide you with balls, bags, team support, etc. - you need to show them that you can represent their brand in a positive and professional manner that makes people want to use their stuff.
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The only thing bowling companies want a 210 average league bowler for is a customer.
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I actually just e-mailed DV8 over the weekend about this same topic. I was surprised to get an e-mail back the very next day and they couldn't have been any nicer. They explained what they desire in their amateur/regional pro staff and told me the steps to take in the spring to possibly becoming a staff member. They did say that some of the requirements are a 220+ average in 2-3 leagues, bowling in 20+ tournaments a year, and having some sort of involvement in a local bowling alley/pro shop. I hope this helps a little and couldn't have been happier with the response I received from Brunswick/DV8.
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Unless you own/work at a pro shop or bowl on the regional level, save your time. No company is impressed with your 220 house slop average. Unless its Lordfield, they just want people to buy their stuff.
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Unless you own/work at a pro shop or bowl on the regional level, save your time. No company is impressed with your 220 house slop average. Unless its Lordfield, they just people to buy their stuff.
Responses like this are one of the reasons why there are fewer and fewer people coming on sites like this these days. The OP asked an honest question, and he or she gets what seems to be an insulting response. NHLfan88, the point you make is fine; you're right, ball companies probably don't care much about what someone averages on a house shot. Still, there is a way of saying that without sounding like you're trying to insult the OP. If I am misreading the intent of your response, than I'm sorry, but I don't believe I am.
I'm just not sure why some people around here refuse to begin by being kind? If you have to get rude and nasty later, whatever, but I'm sick and tired of a lot of people on here being mean from the word go. Again, NHLfan, if I misread the intent of your message, which can happen since it's hard to discern someone's tone in these cases, than I am sorry. If I didn't misread the intent, please try to be a bit nicer. We all come on this site because we love bowling and want to read/discuss it; we can do that without treating one another like crap for no reason.
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Shoot from the hip. Never mean anything malicious, its just the truth. Everyone is so entitled these days, they think just because average 220 on a house shot and bowl in a king of the hill tournament 5 minutes from their house that they deserve to be on staff.
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I'm not saying you have to sugarcoat things for people, but I don't think shooting from the hip necessarily means that you have to shoot to kill while doing so! lol Also, while agree with you that there are far too many entitled bowlers out there, the OP first message doesn't really read that way. He didn't come on here with ego saying that he's great and deserves to be snatched up by a company. He said that he's curious as to what the process would be to try to get there. Don't get me wrong; I'm not against blowtorching the mediocre tool bags who claim that they'd dominate the PBA Tour if they felt like going out there to bowl. Those guys need to be taken down a peg (or ten); I just didn't think that type of response was warranted in this case.
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A person with a staff position is essentially a salesperson. Consider what companies look for in their sales staff. In this case a strong bowling resume, professionalism and most importantly the ability to drive sales of the company's products.
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Shoot from the hip. Never mean anything malicious, its just the truth. Everyone is so entitled these days, they think just because average 220 on a house shot and bowl in a king of the hill tournament 5 minutes from their house that they deserve to be on staff.
Excuse me, Mr I-know-it-all, but can you tell me where did I say that I'm the next Chris Barnes? I asked an honest and maybe a naive question, and I was afraid to ask because I know that out there there are people like you, but since all my previous experience in this forum has been more than pleasent I took a shot. Unfortunately there still frustrated people like you, who are so mad and pissed because life is so bad for them, that they try to spread their hatred and their unhappiness for the rest of us.
I just been bowling for 3 years, and I'm trying to get better every day, I just wanted to know how hard is to be on a bowling staff, that is all, I'm a regular John Doe with a "crappy" 210 average, but I have something that you don't... CLASS.
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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! :D
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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! :D
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.
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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
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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.