• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 04:32
CET 10:32
KST 18:32
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview8RSL Season 3 - Playoffs Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups C & D Preview0RSL Season 3 - RO16 Groups A & B Preview2TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners12
Community News
ComeBackTV's documentary on Byun's Career !9Weekly Cups (Dec 8-14): MaxPax, Clem, Cure win4Weekly Cups (Dec 1-7): Clem doubles, Solar gets over the hump1Weekly Cups (Nov 24-30): MaxPax, Clem, herO win2BGE Stara Zagora 2026 announced15
StarCraft 2
General
Micro Lags When Playing SC2? ComeBackTV's documentary on Byun's Career ! When will we find out if there are more tournament Weekly Cups (Dec 8-14): MaxPax, Clem, Cure win RSL Revival - 2025 Season Finals Preview
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament $100 Prize Pool - Winter Warp Gate Masters Showdow $5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship Winter Warp Gate Amateur Showdown #1 RSL Offline Finals Info - Dec 13 and 14!
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 504 Retribution Mutation # 503 Fowl Play Mutation # 502 Negative Reinforcement Mutation # 501 Price of Progress
Brood War
General
Klaucher discontinued / in-game color settings Anyone remember me from 2000s Bnet EAST server? BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ How Rain Became ProGamer in Just 3 Months FlaSh on: Biggest Problem With SnOw's Playstyle
Tourneys
[BSL21] LB QuarterFinals - Sunday 21:00 CET Small VOD Thread 2.0 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] WB SEMIFINALS - Saturday 21:00 CET
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Game Theory for Starcraft Current Meta Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread General RTS Discussion Thread Nintendo Switch Thread Mechabellum PC Games Sales Thread
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas Survivor II: The Amazon Sengoku Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread The Games Industry And ATVI US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
TL+ Announced Where to ask questions and add stream?
Blogs
The (Hidden) Drug Problem in…
TrAiDoS
I decided to write a webnov…
DjKniteX
James Bond movies ranking - pa…
Topin
Thanks for the RSL
Hildegard
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1674 users

The trials and failers of getting a sponsor

Blogs > Kangg
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
Kangg
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States128 Posts
August 24 2010 21:32 GMT
#1
I am new to being a team manager and never thought it would be this difficult to get a team sponsor. I have been on many competitive teams for other games, and have gotten sponsored before but i was never the one running it. Now i see how difficult it is. I have spent nearly a week from 9 in the morning to about 3 in the afternoon calling businesses, staying up till 2 in the morning writing up proposals and reports. This a lot of work for something that i am not sure i am really qualified to do. I am going to college and have not been able to take all these professional writing courses so sometimes when i send the proposal it may not be exactly the company was looking for which frustrates me even more. I have also called so many companies and have heard this line so many times its ridiculous. "we do not usually sponsor teams." its a market that is untouched, the few companies that are in are making a bundle because of it and other companies for some reasan never see it. I know the money that can be made though marketing but for some reason the marketing departments dont. Idk i write this because im very stressed and pissed off and if anyone happen to knows a company that may be interested post up here and i will look into it. Thank you for reading my little rant god this has been a frustrating and pain staking process.

****
Creek
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States177 Posts
August 24 2010 21:43 GMT
#2
To be honest, I know little about all this stuff.
Take a break for a day and chill with SC2.
Kralic
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada2628 Posts
August 24 2010 21:43 GMT
#3
What kind of companies are you approaching?
Brood War forever!
darkponcho
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States262 Posts
August 24 2010 21:51 GMT
#4
and how good is your team?
life
dani_caliKorea
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
730 Posts
August 24 2010 21:54 GMT
#5
failures
Lexpar
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
1813 Posts
August 24 2010 21:58 GMT
#6
I recommend that first and foremost you spell check all these proposals and reports you've been writing up.
Kralic
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada2628 Posts
August 24 2010 22:02 GMT
#7
Here is the kind of things you need to ask yourself, I was able to get a few sponsors for my clans in the past.

1) Do you have a website?
2) Is your team's website professional?
3) How long has your clan been around?
4) What kind of achievments(not game) has your team accomplished?
5) How many people do you have on your team?
6) What kind of sponsorship are you seeking?(I only looked for and got free dedicated game servers and free ventrillo servers for FPS games)

There is a lot more I can ask but this will help you narrow down what could be going wrong.
Brood War forever!
Skyze
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
Canada2324 Posts
August 24 2010 22:04 GMT
#8
from what i've seen on the three sponsored teams ive been on in the past, You really want to be putting up strong results before you talk about sponsors. Infact, some sponsors will make themselves known to you if you are putting up good results, dont expect to go up to a company asking for one if you have no success.

Also, only focus on sponsors that are somewhat relevant to gaming, such as PC gear, internet cafes, etc etc. Dont go contacting like Walmart or your local grocery store.
Canada Gaming ~~ The-Feared
Hot_Bid
Profile Blog Joined October 2003
Braavos36388 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-24 22:13:52
August 24 2010 22:07 GMT
#9
What team are you representing? Assuming you're not representing a top tier team (even if you were), did you really expect to find a sponsor within a week? That's just unrealistic. Teams look for sponsors for ages, even really good ones.

It seems you jumped into this without really considering how difficult it is. You need to have great people skills, experience, and professionalism to pitch a team sponsorship to a company. Especially if your team isn't super famous. You can't spend a week writing proposals and then expect to get hard results.

"we do not usually sponsor teams." its a market that is untouched, the few companies that are in are making a bundle because of it and other companies for some reasan never see it. I know the money that can be made though marketing but for some reason the marketing departments dont.

What you say here may be true, but you have to show experience in doing things. If you are the former manager for SK Telecom then it's easy to approach someone and say "this is what I did previously, consider sponsoring my new team." There's credibility there, and the company can see why it's beneficial. If you're just a college student emailing proposals to random companies about sponsorship for an unproven team, you're never going to find a good sponsor. They would have to be crazy to fund an entirely unproven team and manager. No company is going take that huge a risk.

Summary:
1. You need experience, time, and effort (way more than 1 week)
2. Your team needs results

I checked your post history and you seem to be representing "Team VzR." I don't recognize any of the players nor have your guys finished in the top of any leagues. I feel you don't have a correct picture of how difficult it is for a non-korean team to find a sponsor. Teams like Root who have top tier players have not found a suitable sponsor for months, what makes you think that an unknown team can just call up companies and find one in a week?

It's a very difficult road you are walking. Cold calling companies is frustrating and soul-crushing at times. I'm not going to say it's impossible, because amazing things can happen if you work hard, but the odds are really long. Good luck, and try not to get too frustrated after a week :p
@Hot_Bid on Twitter - ESPORTS life since 2010 - http://i.imgur.com/U2psw.png
Hynda
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Sweden2226 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-24 22:38:37
August 24 2010 22:37 GMT
#10
On August 25 2010 07:07 Hot_Bid wrote:
What team are you representing? Assuming you're not representing a top tier team (even if you were), did you really expect to find a sponsor within a week? That's just unrealistic. Teams look for sponsors for ages, even really good ones.

It seems you jumped into this without really considering how difficult it is. You need to have great people skills, experience, and professionalism to pitch a team sponsorship to a company. Especially if your team isn't super famous. You can't spend a week writing proposals and then expect to get hard results.

Show nested quote +
"we do not usually sponsor teams." its a market that is untouched, the few companies that are in are making a bundle because of it and other companies for some reasan never see it. I know the money that can be made though marketing but for some reason the marketing departments dont.

What you say here may be true, but you have to show experience in doing things. If you are the former manager for SK Telecom then it's easy to approach someone and say "this is what I did previously, consider sponsoring my new team." There's credibility there, and the company can see why it's beneficial. If you're just a college student emailing proposals to random companies about sponsorship for an unproven team, you're never going to find a good sponsor. They would have to be crazy to fund an entirely unproven team and manager. No company is going take that huge a risk.

Summary:
1. You need experience, time, and effort (way more than 1 week)
2. Your team needs results

I checked your post history and you seem to be representing "Team VzR." I don't recognize any of the players nor have your guys finished in the top of any leagues. I feel you don't have a correct picture of how difficult it is for a non-korean team to find a sponsor. Teams like Root who have top tier players have not found a suitable sponsor for months, what makes you think that an unknown team can just call up companies and find one in a week?

It's a very difficult road you are walking. Cold calling companies is frustrating and soul-crushing at times. I'm not going to say it's impossible, because amazing things can happen if you work hard, but the odds are really long. Good luck, and try not to get too frustrated after a week :p
Now I don't have experience with E-sports so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I do have experience with other sports. Having a poster-boy is of paramount importance when looking for sponsors. Even if you have a wellrounded team it's going to be alot harder to find a sponsor than if you have one big guy and a few perhaps not as good players. I can see it fit in even better in Starcraft since the individual players are in so much focus.

The thing they are looking for is people to go "I want to be like this guy so I'll get the stuff he uses" rather than "I want to be part of team X... yet I have no idea what sponsors they have, nor do I care".
Inkarnate
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada840 Posts
August 24 2010 23:04 GMT
#11
I do some marketing for my job and theres a few things to keep in mind:

  • They need to have a product/service aimed to to the type of people you hope to have watching you play or else there is no value for them in sponsoring you instead of say, their kids soccer team.
  • You will have to make A LOT of cold calls to even talk to the right person, let alone find someone that is interested in spending money.
  • Make sure your proposals look professional, you are proposing to companies, PM me for more info if you don't know what this entails and I can help you out.
  • Don't burn yourself out or else you will lose the passion for something that I hope you enjoy doing now, take a break.


Hope this helps, cheers.
SCC-Faust
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
United States3736 Posts
August 25 2010 00:20 GMT
#12
Hot_Bid said it all really nicely.

If you don't show results, who is going to sponsor you?
And not petty results either. No one is going to care if you win a clan war or two.
I want to fuck Soulkey with a Zelderan.
ProFail
Profile Joined August 2010
Korea (North)81 Posts
August 25 2010 00:29 GMT
#13
I would have thought that really you need to be getting top results, getting a professional website up and running and prove you have a loyal fan base who would purchase the goods of the sponsor. Show examples of other teams who are sponsored and how your team is better, no-one wants to sponsor the person who comes anywhere other than first, so just start to win and I'm sure they will come

Good luck.
Didnt play Beta, Never played any RTS, straight in plat.
alffla
Profile Blog Joined November 2005
Hong Kong20321 Posts
August 25 2010 02:38 GMT
#14
yeah nobody knows who you are and who your team is ..

probably should just work on playing more and winning lots first
Graphicssavior[gm] : What is a “yawn” rape ;; Masumune - It was the year of the pig for those fucking defilers. Chill - A clinic you say? okum: SC without Korean yelling is like porn without sex. konamix: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!
ZeeTemplar
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
United States557 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-25 03:00:57
August 25 2010 02:59 GMT
#15
Make your proposal clear enough so that everyone can understand what your goal is(plain simple English), what does your team have to offer to their company, why you over the next team, etc..

Jangbi storms!!!
SCC-Faust
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
United States3736 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-25 03:00:34
August 25 2010 02:59 GMT
#16
On August 25 2010 09:20 SCC-Faust wrote:
Hot_Bid said it all really nicely.

If you don't show results, who is going to sponsor you?
And not petty results either. No one is going to care if you lose a clan war or two.


Edited for accuracy.

(I'm just kidding yo)

+ Show Spoiler +
Sponsors always come last. You want to find a team that practices hard, has good manners, and works well with each other. Without getting all those first, finding a sponsor will be near impossible. This is specifically for new teams though. Established teams such as fnatic and mym have been here before Starcraft 2. It all started with them recruiting a team (think when excello picked up MgZ) who I believe wasn't sponsored. That team, usually isn't sponsored. And... MIRICAL! No but seriously I've seen how sponsored teams worked in Brood War, and it is no cake walk. Your intentions have to be in the right place, and not just for whatever you think you're going to get out of a sponsor.
I want to fuck Soulkey with a Zelderan.
ZeeTemplar
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
United States557 Posts
August 25 2010 03:03 GMT
#17
Faust is correct. lol. You would probably need that first.
Jangbi storms!!!
Kangg
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States128 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-25 04:53:31
August 25 2010 04:53 GMT
#18
Seems like many people are iffy on my proposal, if you are interested in looking at it and wanna see it would love to see people make comments and see what i should change. Send me a pm asking me and i will email the proposal to u.
Kangg
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States128 Posts
August 25 2010 04:56 GMT
#19


I checked your post history and you seem to be representing "Team VzR." I don't recognize any of the players nor have your guys finished in the top of any leagues. I feel you don't have a correct picture of how difficult it is for a non-korean team to find a sponsor. Teams like Root who have top tier players have not found a suitable sponsor for months, what makes you think that an unknown team can just call up companies and find one in a week?


Look at the ESL open ladder and diamond ladder number one player is on our team on both ladders. Secondly we have placed top 4 in over 5 tournaments in a week. That is better than most established thats and thats from 3 players on our team. We have cridentials and have been streamed. We may not be well known know but anticipate it. In 1 month u will know of us.
GogoKodo
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
Canada1785 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-25 05:18:44
August 25 2010 05:18 GMT
#20
Your location says US so I'm assuming you're approaching English companies. I understand your posts here don't necessarily show the level of work you put into your proposals and communications with companies but there are some pretty glaring errors. If you aren't already using someone to proof read everything you send out you should probably do that.
twitter: @terrancem
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 28m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft: Brood War
Rain 1761
Shuttle 460
Stork 433
Sharp 302
Soma 266
Rush 162
hero 158
Dewaltoss 115
Killer 108
Mong 71
[ Show more ]
NaDa 45
Movie 26
Terrorterran 4
GuemChi 1
Britney 0
Dota 2
XcaliburYe408
NeuroSwarm82
League of Legends
JimRising 491
Counter-Strike
summit1g10983
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor210
Other Games
Fuzer 108
Mew2King88
oskar81
febbydoto13
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick722
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH327
• LUISG 28
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV560
League of Legends
• Jankos1629
• Stunt1117
Upcoming Events
Sparkling Tuna Cup
28m
Ladder Legends
7h 28m
BSL 21
10h 28m
StRyKeR vs TBD
Bonyth vs TBD
Replay Cast
23h 28m
Wardi Open
1d 2h
Monday Night Weeklies
1d 7h
WardiTV Invitational
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
WardiTV Invitational
4 days
ByuN vs Solar
Clem vs Classic
Cure vs herO
Reynor vs MaxPax
Replay Cast
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #4 - TS3
RSL Offline Finals
Kuram Kup

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
Slon Tour Season 2
CSL Season 19: Qualifier 1
WardiTV 2025
META Madness #9
eXTREMESLAND 2025
SL Budapest Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22

Upcoming

CSL Season 19: Qualifier 2
CSL 2025 WINTER (S19)
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2026
HSC XXVIII
Big Gabe Cup #3
OSC Championship Season 13
Nations Cup 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026
BLAST Bounty Winter Qual
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.