Global Sponsorship

[Nifty50]

Any ideas for global companies who would be a good fit to sponsor snooker? We’ve been through the “Tobacco” years, Embassy, Rothmans, Benson and Hedges etc. We’re now in the “Gambling” years, Betfred, Bet-Victor etc. None of these particularly good for the image of snooker.
I saw Lewis Hamilton on telly yesterday and his kit is plastered with big companies who are happy to have their name on his car, helmet etc.
Must be somebody out there for snooker. Maybe Barry Hearn has already knocked on all the doors and got the cold shoulder.

[Cue crafty]

I'm surprised Saluc don't factor as a sponsor in snooker being the main provider of balls for all events. I'm sure they've done pool events.

[trains]

i'm not in anyway shape or form a fan or advocate of david hendon but one thing i remember him saying years ago is that snooker is a victim of cultural snobbery which seems to be very true , but i also think the wpbsa don't help themselves , they keep the game too exclusive , it should have been night and day obvious by now to start the seeds of getting schoolkids interested and familiarised in playing on proper pro tables but i don't think there's been a bean from them , if there's a cultural problem you do something to shake it and not sit on your laurels.

[vmax]

I think the introduction of the aramith ball and the change in table conditions in order to make them work has resulted in ton break and maximum overload.
It used to be a difficult game for the elite but not anymore, the game is dead at grass roots level in the UK because it's all been seen and done, nothing new anymore, and eurosport's constant broadcasting of every event will create the same for mainland europe soon. As so many kids are now growing up with digital media as their main interest all sport will simply become something to watch and not take part in and that will lead to digital gameplay taking over in the future in some kind of Star Trek holodeck pre- programmed online gamblingverse.
Maybe I read too much science fiction

It's part way there now with football, most kids play the game on their playstations rather than out in the cold and rain, with the elite pro clubs playing the manager go round, now matches are simply one coaches system against anothers. The pro club football academies are producing human chess pieces with basic passing and shooting skills while the art of beating a player has been reduced to the step over and the dive when it fails as the free kick with the light ball is now the main weapon.

No amount of sponsorship is going to save snooker in the UK, the clubs are almost all gone so saturday mornings for the under fifteens has gone as well, can't play it in schools unless someone comes up with a folding table that can be erected and taken down in minutes. Maybe an intermediate sized table can be introduced as a step up from pub pool, going straight to a full sized snooker table is a bridge too far for most and they soon give up

[itsnoteasy]

Snooker is to hard for youngsters nowadays, they want instant gratification and they can more or less get it on a pool table. It's pool and darts that keep our club open , if they relied on the snooker side it would be shut within a month.

[Cue crafty]

Well all that depressing stuff above is true but Nifty asked about sponsors so I'll throw in Star the table makers because the money they charge for those crap tables is ridiculous and the fact they've ploughed none of it back into the game is cheap and nasty as well.

Mikee no need to like my post as I already know ya love it!!

[MrRottweiler]

A stylish clothing company like a fashion brand or even supermarket and they have exclusive rights to all clothing worn by players (with the possible exception of undergarments which is a personal choice)

Players can choose from multiple styles and colours or even choose their own and it's all tailor made by the sponsor and players are banned from having badges on their clothing from other sponsors. That might not go down too well with the players though if they are making a nice bit of scratch from those massive sewn on patches they wear during matches.

I wonder if it's against the rules for a player to be adorned with different sponsor badges like the suit of an F1 driver. Imagine if Zhao Xintong had 100 sponsor badges on the back of his waistcoat. Even if he had included them for free he would have become a guaranteed multi millionaire overnight when he won the UK Championship. He will anyway because of his talent but now he will have sponsors begging him to endorse them.

[Nifty50]

Yes clothing might be worth considering. WST would need to be a bit more flexible in what was allowed. Maybe smart casual for day time play and formal for evening.
Maybe Ralph Loren, or something similar, polo shirts. Maybe something in the footwear department could be explored. Anyone with kids will know how expensive trainers are. Big business with lots of money sloshing about. Would have to draw the line at Levi jeans with rips in the knees lol.
Just need one or two big companies to stick a million into the prize fund pot.
PS. Just saw a tweet that Emma Raducana has done a deal with Evian water. That would have been a good fit for snooker.

[mikee]

Well all that depressing stuff above is true but Nifty asked about sponsors so I'll throw in Star the table makers because the money they charge for those crap tables is ridiculous and the fact they've ploughed none of it back into the game is cheap and nasty as well.

Mikee no need to like my post as I already know ya love it!!

Can't agree more mate ,Star do feck all for the game and their tables are rubbish and look cheap .Rasson hopefully will get the full contract at some near point in the future ,take their new Stong table with all the levelling system and decent quality materials ,its a shade under 8 grand ,all in with balls ,rests etc .Star tables 21 grand ,recycled wood ,cheap soft cushion rails ,plywood frame ,and legs made up of lego sized bits and cut offs ,its no wonder the balls roll off everywhere

[Nifty50]

Well….not a lot of ideas so end of thread. Only ideas are :-
1) Clothes
2) Water
3) Tables
4) Balls.
One other suggestion. Just jumping on an idea from another thread. What about a hair replacement therapy company or wig manufacturer? Can just see Luca with a nice curly blond syrup.

[Cue crafty]

I love the clothing idea, I also don't have a problem with beer! I am a craft beer fan and there are lots on the market, appeal to a younger crowd as well, I know Brewdog had a bit of bad press but could be a good sponsor??

[fkhan]

A hotel or food sponsor maybe? Another option could be a fitness brand.

[mikee]

A hotel or food sponsor maybe? Another option could be a fitness brand.

Murphy would probably endorse the food sponsor idea ,maybe Ikea could sponsor the table to put the food on

[MrRottweiler]

Players have to wear a Fitbit during matches and information like heart rate is displayed. Would actually be interesting to see how a players heart rate changes as they compile a 147 or a break to win a big tournament. I imagine players condition themselves to keep it controlled under pressure but their first televised 147 has to be beyond anything they can prepare for. Maybe some players wouldn't like that idea as it could be giving away too much information.

[fkhan]

I think John Parris should sponsor one tourney atleast with all those cues he's sold over the years.