Expert: Chip Aki - 3/22/2006

Question
I am looking into getting my PBA Membership. I have been averaging over 220 the past 3 years, with a 234 average this year. I would like to compete regularly in PBA Regional events and a couple of National Qualifiers next year, but really don't have the funds to bowl as much as I would like. I want to try and find a sponsor, but don't know how to get one. What would you recommend as the best way to find or contact a possible sponsor?

Answer
Finding a sponsor is never been easy, but in the last 5-10 years, it seems to have gotten harder.

It is a bit of a catch-22 scenario.  You have to be able to prove yourself, but without sponsor money, it is very difficult to be able to go out and prove yourself.  If you can scrape up enough to get to a tournament or two and do well, then you have a much better chance of getting a sponsor.
The first place to look is other bowlers in your area.  Look for other bowlers that own businesses that you can help promote.  I have done that in the past and had some success.  The other thing you might want to look at is changing the tournaments you are wanting to go to.  There is more money to be made at the so called mega-buck tournaments than in the PBA regionals and qualifiers.  It may be easier for you to find a sponsor of two to make it to those, depending on where you live.

If your best performances have been in leagues only, unless they are a sport league, it may not impress many people.  I am not saying that averaging 230 is easy, but on most house conditions, it wont score many points with people that can put money on someone.

I hope it works for you.

Good luck,
Chip