Striking a Poker Sponsorship Deal at a Final Table

by Bodog Poker | Dec 24 2008

In the great debate of the pros and cons of delaying the 2008 WSOP Final Table for months, one of the most commonly repeated pros was that players would be given a great deal more time to secure sponsorship deals. Why is that such a big deal? Well, in a tournament like the WSOP, which received 2,364,000 viewers, a player’s hat and shirt become very valuable pieces of marketing real estate.

It’s no wonder that final table sponsorship deals have become almost as important to tournament poker players as the cash they are battling for. For an amateur it means an extra chunk of money to go along with their share of the prize pool. For a poker pro it means a stable source of income in an unstable profession that can leave you earning nothing for long periods.

For many poker players, sponsorship is also seen as a status symbol. Players who wear the gear of an online poker site have proven that they are good enough that companies are willing to bet on their success.

For the players at a final table in a tournament like the WSOP Main Event finding sponsorship is easy since the high profile nature of the tournament will have companies coming to them. Once it gets down to around 40 players the prospective sponsors start circling players and offering deals.

But what about players who are seeing plenty of success in the poker tournament circuit and are looking to gain sponsorship?

During the honeymoon stage of the poker boom, after Moneymaker’s big WSOP victory, online poker sites spent millions in sponsorship deals. Now that so many players have been signed things are starting to slow down and nailing that deal has become a little trickier.

Tips for Finding Sponsorship

First of all, approach your potential sponsor professionally. If it’s through an email then make sure the grammar is perfect, if it’s in person, dress to impress and inspire confidence.

Second, keep in mind what the sponsor is looking for – exposure. This is an advertising venture and any company thinking of investing in you is going to want to know what distinguishes you from the rest of the players out there with similar track records? It would go a long way if you already have the attention of the media.

Take Scott Neuman for example. In 2006 Neuman got a sponsorship deal by selling it on eBay. This original tactic guaranteed a sponsor at least a certain amount of media attention because it was original and interesting. Riley Books ended up buying him into a WPT event at the Borgata. Proof of the soundness of their decision is in the fact that this deal is still being talked and written about. So if you can find a way to guarantee your sponsor added levels of exposure, you’ll increase your chances of scoring a deal.

Third, start with a realistic deal. Don’t expect to get signed for a full one-year contract just because you did well in a few tournaments. Use your success to justify sponsorship for an upcoming tournament or if you’re currently doing well in one, seek out a media deal that would see you get paid if you appear in a magazine or on TV while wearing the company’s logo. Proving to a company that you are easy to work with and know how to get them exposure could eventually lead to something bigger.

But none of this is possible without a proven track record of success. Plenty of online poker players are getting signed these days, so head over to the Bodog Poker Room and start building your bankroll as well as your reputation. With the New Year there will also be a new tournament leader board to climb. Get an early start and make your mark.