How Much Would It Cost To Sponsor A Novice Mma Athlete?
by mmafan on Friday, November 6th, 2009 | 3 Comments
I don’t have tons of money but it seems that MMA has been good to a whole lot of lower income guys who lack any other way of advancing out of poverty. So any idea of how much it would cost to sponsor a novice in MMA?
It depends, if you’re the owner of a business that makes anything the fighter might use, a lot of guys would wear your logo just for free gear, a few guys from my gym do that. If you’re not, just paying travel/lodging expenses for a fighter would be enough for most guys, as that can stop a lot of guys from fighting anywhere outside their immediate area, which then limits how big they can get. From the way you asked the question I’m guessing you aren’t a business owner or anything, so I don’t know what you would really get form “sponsoring” a fighter, it’d basically just be giving a guy money, which is fine, but you can do that for any dollar amount, if you want guys to start wearing your logo/name dropping you in interviews that’s when you have to provide something more substantial. Even so, one of the guys from my gym fights pro and for $500 a year you can get your companies name/logo on the banner he brings out with him when he fights, so that can be a lot of publicity since lower level guys fight way more than the UFC dudes. If you ask more specifically what you mean by sponsor I can give you a better answer, but I hope you got a general idea form this
It really depends I am an amature fighter, looking to make a move to the pros in the next 8 mo. Really what do you have to offer? If you make gear, free stuff will get your name on my trunks. If you have a business fund my travel of finance my training or gear; thai pads, focus mitts, headgear, shorts, gloves, etc. will get your name on my trunks. If you are a private individual you really just have to do it for the satisfaction of helping someone live their dream. I honestly have a sponsor, STRANGE MUSIC, that gets free trunk time because I am a fan. They are an independent record label out of KC MO that does it their way and have had alot of success and I admire that. I havent had a fight since they sponsored me but it will also get me a lil exposure on their web site, Ive been told. But ultimately how expensive it will be depends on what you want from the fighter.
Well, I don’t know how much it would be to sponsor an MMA fighter, but you can sponsor an amateur Muay Thai fighter for a reasonable amount. (I’m referring to myself.) Please see my site for sponsorship information. My next fight will be at Wild Bill’s Fight Night on November 8 in Atlanta, GA. http://kid-phoenix.blogspot.com/