On sponsorship

**dave p** · 26.05.2012, 10:00

Sponsorship has always been part of blading/skating, but I'm curious about what people think about it. What do people think it is? What do people think it should be? What should it take for a skater to get sponsored? What should be expected of sponsored skaters? What should a sponsor do for skaters? In general I'd like to hear the opinions on this topic from all sides, skaters(pro/am/the rest of us),and companies large and small, successful or not. Break it down if you can. Give it the good the bad and the ugly. And NO I am not looking for a sponsor. I'm considering becoming one.

**u am snookems** · 26.05.2012, 10:48

Glorified marketing.

**wilk** · 26.05.2012, 12:24

I liked how it was back in the day...my comment on the new lines edit from Ryan Timms that is on the main page...is how I feel about be sponsored being recognized etc. I say fuck it...and sometimes I feel like other rollerbladers can your own worst enemy when it comes to being a recognized sponsered etc rollerblader. Even if I had the skill set, to be picked up by a shop or flowed something like that, I wouldn't do it. I would rather just skate when I can and have a good job that I love...for me it's military, so I honestly couldn't be sponsered well known follerblader anyways. But it's good guys like timms and Casey and Stefan are trying to get there names out and be someone in rollerblading, for the future of our "sport".

**austin from texas** · 26.05.2012, 19:20

personally, ive always thought, and would expect that a sponsor would:

for pros - pay the amount of a full time, at least minimum wage job would. this includes bonuses for magazines clippings or covers or video sections where seen wearing sponsoring company's product. also free product at the skaters request

for ams - significantly less pay, but still something. about part time job equivalent, at less than minimum. this includes bonuses for magazines clippings or covers or video sections where seen wearing sponsoring company's product. also free product at skaters request.

for flow - no pay, free product at sponsors discretion. however, much less in the amount of bonuses for the above mentioned exposure.

for all - skaters need to represent and wear any and all product sent to them. if seen wearing product from a competing company, will be disciplined in way of docked pay, less product, a little hassling, revocation of bonuses or termination (under intense circumstances. not like that bambrick bullshit with razors.)

**Otacon_EXE** · 26.05.2012, 22:02

There should be a quota of footage you put out if you're full sponsored. If you wanna blade for fun, go be flow or am.

**salomonskater** · 26.05.2012, 22:28

Sponsorship is bullshit.

**NathanC** · 26.05.2012, 23:10

Suppose its good en all, respect a lot dudes for their skills slaying. Don't really give a shit who's sponsored or how many videos they're in. who sucks their dick every friday night ect. I've meant quiet a few dudes who are playing the game right now.

shitbirds, coolbros, hellions, nicest dude

lotta different personalities, and at this point in my life. Just see most of these dudes like I would any other street urchin. But these ones have "inline skates" and are really good with them and I like inline skates to.

um to sum that up.

sponsorship is hilarious, respect the skills, whether someone is a cool all around package is determined by their actions and words.

[edit]

teh industry is wacky

**brett dasovic** · 27.05.2012, 00:55

Haha. This topic.

***Quark*** · 27.05.2012, 03:35

Originally Posted by dave p

Sponsorship has always been part of blading/skating, but I'm curious about what people think about it. What do people think it is? What do people think it should be? What should it take for a skater to get sponsored? What should be expected of sponsored skaters? What should a sponsor do for skaters? In general I'd like to hear the opinions on this topic from all sides, skaters(pro/am/the rest of us),and companies large and small, successful or not. Break it down if you can. Give it the good the bad and the ugly. And NO I am not looking for a sponsor. I'm considering becoming one.

\

What business are you in that would benefit from sponsoring rollerbladers?

**wujcik** · 27.05.2012, 04:23

Originally Posted by Quark

\

What business are you in that would benefit from sponsoring rollerbladers?

leave it to quark to have the best response.

On a more serious note; why do you feel that sponsoring aggressive inline skaters will help your business?

Check our history. Everyone, shit EVERYONE (except, maybe killgore), that had the chance to market to an outside audience took the chance, and failed. The best case study ever is Arlo. Where is he now?

The ONLY people that make money in our sport are boot makers and shops. Both hide their markup. Truth be told, top tier skates should cost no more than $150 USD but the boot makers and shops each need their %50. If you are thinking about a "clothing company" you would be better off playing the tables in vegas.

***ROYALwithCHEESE*** · 27.05.2012, 04:51

Originally Posted by Quark

\

What business are you in that would benefit from sponsoring rollerbladers?

Gay Porn industry

**hhhjjjkkklll** · 27.05.2012, 05:21

Originally Posted by NathanC

Suppose its good en all, respect a lot dudes for their skills slaying. Don't really give a shit who's sponsored or how many videos they're in. who sucks their dick every friday night ect. I've meant quiet a few dudes who are playing the game right now.

shitbirds, coolbros, hellions, nicest dude

lotta different personalities, and at this point in my life. Just see most of these dudes like I would any other street urchin. But these ones have "inline skates" and are really good with them and I like inline skates to.

um to sum that up.

sponsorship is hilarious, respect the skills, whether someone is a cool all around package is determined by their actions and words.

[edit]

teh industry is wacky

One of the dumbest things i've ever read

**someguy** · 27.05.2012, 11:02

Originally Posted by hhhjjjkkklll

One of the dumbest things i've ever read

be-mag, how are you letting fools with 600 posts get away with that kind of shit?

**hhhjjjkkklll** · 27.05.2012, 14:42

Originally Posted by someguy

be-mag, how are you letting fools with 600 posts get away with that kind of shit?

because i am correct, you fuckin korean

**wilk** · 27.05.2012, 15:59

Ok enough of this malarky...he wants to sponsor boot soldiers let him put some guys on. Now, to a more important topic...On Killing?

**Matthew Shannon** · 27.05.2012, 16:08

what sponsoring is now seems to be just a means to ease the hassle of real life expenses by giving you your skating related stuff so your real income can go towards your living and food expenses.

**NathanC** · 27.05.2012, 18:44

Originally Posted by hhhjjjkkklll

One of the dumbest things i've ever read

Even dumber that you posted without rebuttal. fuck you dude. Whats your obviously superior opinion?

**gen2roller** · 27.05.2012, 19:00

Originally Posted by Matthew Shannon

what sponsoring is now seems to be just a means to ease the hassle of real life expenses by giving you your skating related stuff so your real income can go towards your living and food expenses.

pretty much this