|   THIS SPORT NEEDS MORE SPONSORS OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY | HOMAN
Nov 4, 2001 6:40 PM | | This is the problem I have realized with this sport that is causing some very serious problems for the future of the sport. All the sponsors of races, teams etc. are all companies already in the industry. Brands like KHS who sponsor the Plattekill series and teams who are only sponsored by themselves and some other companies inside the biking industry, and the occasional car company but they dont do anything for the sport, except for the one commercial with who I think is Missy Giove riding in Moab and the one with the people riding the shore. If this sport starts getting some more sponsors outside the industry it will be alive and well again. So if there is anyone who has influence is on this board please use it. When companies start starting teams like i dunno, team sony or something, or even better, TV networks start to get involved in sponsorchip and coverage. So when you are thinking about getting sponsorship, instead of only applying to companies like Specialized and other companies in the industry, just attempt at some other companies outside of the industry. Just write a letter or something, it doesnt take much time, and it cant hurt, plus in time it could save this sport. |
| Where the problem lies... | ska todd
Nov 5, 2001 7:02 AM | | Homan,
You my friend have made a keen observation that even some of the people at the top of this sport haven't realized: the industry alone cannot carry the burden of racing!
Plain and simple the money isn't there to do it. Margins in the bicycle business are quite low and marketing budgets are shrinking more and more as the nationwide recession plods on. Racing (especially dh/ds) is only a fraction of the overall big picture. Companies are looking to spend their monies most effectively (ie group rides, bike festivals, etc). They are looking to impact the most people possible. Racing only benefits a select few.
Where the problem truly lies is way up top in Colorado Springs. USA Cycling/Norba, the sanctioning body for the sport is poorly managed, inefficiently run, and overall has dropped the ball. By doing a lackluster job and failing to drum up solid corporate support, and more importantly solid TV coverage, mountain bike racing on a national level is in a dire circumstance.
We can only hope for either a) major organizational changes in Norba b) a new sanctioning body c) that the sport will go underground and re-emerge like bmx or road racing did.
ska todd |
| it's slowly happening. simple green, plugg, speed stick | ©2001
Nov 5, 2001 8:01 AM | | look at carter and the mongoose squad? they have a ton of non-bike sponsors. simple green is an entire team squad w/ a non-mtb major sponsor. it's getting there. cannondale has volvo. what's the return for the non-mtb affiliate? i don't know if there is a ton, so they probably aren't in a hurry to get on board. |
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