Helping brands to partner with athletes in their influencer marketing and sponsorship marketing campaigns

The Cost of Partnering with MLB Players

Major League Baseball players are some of the biggest athletes in the world. They're idolized by millions of fans and have a huge influence on popular culture. Working with that level of stardom generally comes with a high price tag, and if you're a brand or company looking to partner with an MLB player, especially smaller early-stage companies, this might be a dream that is out of reach. But is it REALLY? Over the years, the game has evolved and changed, but one thing has remained constant: the importance of sponsorships. Sponsorships are a vital part of the MLB, providing much-needed revenue for teams and players alike. It has also gotten much easier and cheaper through platforms like OpenSponsorship. So how much does it cost to sponsor an MLB player? Let's take a look.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Sponsoring an MLB Player

The cost of sponsoring an MLB player can vary widely depending on a number of factors. The most important factor is undoubtedly the popularity of the player. A superstar like Mike Trout or Felix Hernandez is going to command a much higher sponsorship fee than a fringe player who spends most of his time in the minor leagues.

Other factors that can affect the cost of sponsoring an MLB player include the size and marketability of the player's team, the length of the sponsorship contract, and any special clauses or stipulations that may be included in the contract.

Sponsorship fees also tend to be higher for players who are considered to be "good guys." Players who are known for their community involvement or charitable work are more attractive to potential sponsors than those with checkered pasts or off-field issues. In general, companies are looking for players who will be positive ambassadors for their brands.

How to Find an MLB Player that Fits your Budget

Generally, the standard rate of A-list MLB Players starts at $12,000, however, there are many great ways to find a wider range of athletes that are a better fit for your brand, more affordable, and also have stellar ROI.

You can utilize the Search Feature on OpenSponsorship to search MLB players!

LOW COST (under $2,500):

• Average followers: 200k
• Example: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves

MID-COST ($2,500 - $10,000):

• Average followers: 1 Million
• Example: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins

HIGH-COST (over $10,000):

• Average followers: 2.5 Million
• Example: Justin Verlander, Houston Astros

Final Thoughts on The Cost of Sponsoring an MLB Player

As explained above, the cost of sponsoring an MLB player can vary widely depending on a number of factors, but it doesn't always have to cost a fortune. It's more about finding athletes that are the right fit for various marketing objectives of the campaigns that companies are looking to run. Companies looking to sponsor an MLB player should consult with experienced professionals like OpenSponsorship to ensure they get the best bang for their buck and athletes who are the right fit for the marketing campaign you are looking to run. Get started and sign up to OpenSponsorship for free!

Why Brands Should Work with Athletes to Improve Black Friday Sales

For many brands, Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year. It's a time when businesses can make a lot of money by offering steep discounts and attracting customers with great deals. However, in order to make the most out of Black Friday, brands need to plan ahead and work with athletes to create promotional content that will drive traffic and sales. In this blog post, we will discuss why it is beneficial for brands to work with athletes on Black Friday and some tips on how to do it effectively!

There are a few reasons why working with athletes can be beneficial for brands during Black Friday. First, athletes have a large following on social media and can promote deals to their fans. Second, athletes are trusted influencers and their endorsement of a product or service can increase consumer confidence. Finally, athletes are often seen as experts in their field and can provide valuable insights to brands about how to appeal to their target audience.

If you're a brand considering working with athletes on Black Friday, here are a few tips to make the most out of the partnership:

1. Plan ahead and give athletes plenty of time to create content. This will ensure that the content is high quality and that the athlete has a good understanding of the brand and what is being promoted.
2. Make sure the athlete is a good fit for the brand. There should be alignment between the values of the athlete and the brand, and the content should be relevant to the athlete's fans.
3. Be clear about what is expected from the partnership. What kind of content will be created? How will it be promoted? What are the goals of the campaign? Having a clear plan will help ensure that both parties are on the same page and that everyone knows what their role is in making the campaign successful.

Working with athletes on Black Friday can be a great way to boost sales and create buzz around your brand. By following these tips, you can make the most out of the partnership and ensure that it is successful!

Here are some successful Black Friday marketing campaigns to get you inspired:

- Nike's "Find Your Greatness" campaign from 2012 featured a number of top athletes, including LeBron James, Allyson Felix, and Michael Phelps. The campaign was very beneficial, improving sales and brand awareness.

- Umbro and West Ham United Football Club utilized their black Friday campaign in 2017 to sell merchandise at a discounted rate. The campaign was very successful, with Umbro seeing a sales increase of 300% on the day.

- Under Armour's "Rule Yourself" campaign from 2015 featured a number of top athletes, including Michael Phelps, Misty Copeland, and Jordan Spieth. The campaign was a success, driving sales and increasing market reach.

Finishing Point

OpenSponsorship is the best way to connect with top athletes and brands around the world. We have a database of over 10,000 athletes and counting, so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your brand. Sign up today and start promoting your Black Friday deals!

How to find the right athletes to sponsor for your marketing

Finding the right athlete to sponsor for your marketing campaign can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and tools (like OpenSponsorship), it can be easy and fun!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect athletes to partner with

1. Look for an athlete who is relevant to your brand.

Make sure that the athlete you choose is relevant to your brand and what you are trying to promote. For example, if you are a supplements company, sponsoring a gymnast that regularly consumes supplements would be a great fit.

2. Consider the audience you want to reach.

When selecting an athlete, think about the audience you want to reach. If you are looking for younger consumers, sponsorship of an up-and-coming athlete may be a better option than an older, more established one.

3. Consider the image you want your brand to have.

Think about the image you want your brand to have and find an athlete that will help you achieve that goal. For example, if you want your brand to come across as youthful and energetic, sponsoring an athlete with a more upbeat personality might be a good option.

4. Make sure the athlete is credible and relatable.

Sponsoring an athlete who is not credible or relatable can do more harm than good for your brand. Make sure that the athletes you consider are not only good at what they do, but that they are also aligned with your brand's values.

5. Have a clear goal in mind for your marketing campaign.

Before starting your search for an athlete, make sure to have a clear objective in mind for your marketing campaign. This will help make the decision process much easier and ensure that both you and the athlete are on the same page.

Case Study

We recently helped one of our brands, Trago work with one of our athletes, Amanda Ruller for an amazing social media post.

Amanda is a professional football player, Olympic weight-lifting competitor, CrossFit fanatic, personal trainer & the winner of a Hyundai Sonata on The Price is Right TV show! For these reasons, she has a very loyal following of over 90k social media followers and is always looking on OpenSponsorship for the next best brand to promote.

Recently, she applied and was accepted to Trago's campaign on OpenSponsorship. They were looking to give a free bottle ($79 value) in exchange for exposure via social media. Even with her large following, Amanda agreed to post in exchange for free product because of how much she loved the brand!

Trago used OpenSponsorship to drive sales, increase brand recognition, and add a "coolness" factor by partnering with a professional athlete. And this is just one post! They've had more than 20 applications just in the last 2 weeks from more athletes like Amanda.

At OpenSponsorship, we make it easy for brands to find athletes to sponsor for your next marketing campaign. Sign up for free today to get started!

How to Sponsor a 2022 FIFA World Cup Player

As the world’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup is a coveted opportunity for brands. Every four years, billions of people tune in to watch the best players from all over the world compete for the title of World Champion. And as excitement builds for the next tournament in 2022, brands are starting to wonder how they can get involved.

Sponsoring a player at the FIFA World Cup is a great way to get your brand in front of a massive audience. Not only will your brand be associated with one of the most watched events on TV, but you’ll also be associated with some of the best athletes in the world. But how do you go about sponsoring a player for the 2022 World Cup?

Here are our top tips on how to sponsor a player for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

1. Decide what you want from your sponsorship

Before you start scouting for potential players, take some time to think about what you want from your sponsorship. What are your goals? Do you want to increase awareness of your brand or drive sales? Are you looking for a global ambassador who can represent your company on an international stage? Or are you after a more tactical sponsorship that will directly support your team or individual athletes?

Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you can start tailoring your search accordingly. For example, if you’re looking for a high-profile global ambassador, you’ll need to consider players who are already well-known and have a large following. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more tactical sponsorship, you could focus on up-and-coming athletes who may not have as big of a following yet but who have the potential to make a big impact in the future.

2. Do your research

The next step is to do your research and find out which players might be available for sponsorship. The best place to start is by looking at the list of national team players who have qualified for the 2022 World Cup. You can find this list on FIFA’s website.

Once you’ve identified some potential candidates, it’s important to do some background research on them. Find out where they play, what their stats are, and what clubs they’re affiliated with. This information will help you decide if they’re a good fit for your brand.

JOIN OUR UPCOMING WEBINAR!

3. Research the players who fit your criteria

Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to do some research on the players who fit your criteria. There are plenty of ways to find information on potential sponsorships –  social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, a simple google search, or good old-fashioned print media! Whichever method you choose, make sure to compile a list of all the relevant information about each player – including their age, nationality, playing position and any major achievements they may have already made.

4. Connect with the right people

Once you’ve compiled your list of potential players, it’s time to start connecting with the right people. This could involve reaching out to agents or PR managers representing the athletes, or getting in touch with the relevant governing body (such as FIFA) for more information on specific players. It’s important that you build positive relationships with these contacts so that they see your brand as reliable and credible – after all, they will be the ones recommending your sponsorship to their clients!

5.Make an offer and negotiate

Finally, it’s time to make an offer and negotiate with the athlete(s) or their representatives. This can be tricky as different athletes will have different price points depending on their level of fame and endorsement deals already in place. However, by using the information from the steps above, you should be able to come up with a figure that is both realistic and fair. Remember to always be prepared to walk away if negotiations get too complicated or expensive!

Sponsoring a player for the 2022 FIFA World Cup can be a daunting task but by following these simple steps, brands can make sure they find the perfect athlete for their needs. Alternatively, OpenSponsorship makes connecting with athletes and running marketing campaigns very easy for brands. We can help you handle the A-Z of sports marketing through our platform and get the most out of your marketing campaigns. Sign up for free here today!

4 Ways your Brand can get Involved in the 2022 World Cup

The World Cup is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in the world, and for good reason. Every four years, fans from all corners of the globe come together to celebrate their love of football. This year's tournament will be taking place in Qatar, and brands are already starting to jockey for position to get involved. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the different ways your brand can get involved in the World Cup 2022. Whether you're looking for a World Cup athlete sponsorship opportunity or want to create a marketing campaign around the event, we've got you covered!

Logo Placement

One of the most popular ways for brands to get involved in the World Cup is through logo placement. This is where your brand's logo will be featured on signage, kits, or other promotional materials associated with the event. This can take many different forms, but one of the most common is to have your brand logo on the team kit. Logo placement can be a great way to get your brand in front of a global audience, and it's also one of the most cost-effective ways to get involved.

Give Away Prizes

Another great way for brands to get involved in the World Cup is by giving away prizes related to the tournament. This can include anything from tickets to VIP experiences at games. Winners of these prizes can be selected through competitions, quizzes or randomly chosen from individuals who shared your content on social media. By giving away prizes, brands can generate excitement among fans and increase their visibility online and offline.

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Appearance Marketing

Appearance marketing is a type of marketing that focuses on creating a positive association between your brand and the event. An example of how this can be done is by hosting an event with an athlete involved in the World Cup - you could use a current or former player. A result of this will cause fans to link your brand with the World Cup, which will create a trustworthy relationship between potential consumers and your brand. Furthermore, appearance marketing is an excellent way to get you in front of a highly-targeted audience, and it can also be a lot of fun in the process!

Athlete Social Media Posts

Another option is to sponsor an athlete on social media. This can be a great way to get your brand in front of a highly-engaged audience. Many athletes will be using social media to share their experiences of the World Cup, and your brand can be a part of that. This could take many forms, such as the athlete promoting your product on Instagram with media posts, stories, lives, or Reals. However, there are a range of different social media platforms to choose from, this includes: TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. The World Cup is a perfect opportunity to create awareness for your brand and generate some buzz around the event.

Final Thoughts

No matter how you decide to get involved, the important thing is that you start planning now. The World Cup only comes around every four years, so you don't want to miss out on this opportunity to reach a global audience! 

Get started here today with OpenSponsorship to simplify all your sports sponsorship needs! 

Social Media Deliverables for your Next Marketing Campaign

As a brand, you want to be where your consumers are. And today, more and more of those consumers are spending time on social media. In fact, over two billion people around the world are active on social media platforms. So it's no surprise that social media has become an important channel for brands to reach and engage with their target audiences.

At OpenSponsorship, we understand the importance of social media for brands. That's why we offer social media deliverables as part of our sponsorship opportunities. Some common social media deliverables include Instagram posts, reels, TikToks, YouTube videos, and many more.

Why should brands care about this?

With OpenSponsorship's Social Media Deliverables, you are able to request and obtain exactly what you need for your next marketing campaign. From a simple Instagram post to more complex and specific YouTube videos, brands are able to tailor deliverables that will fit their needs. 

How does it work?

1. Once you create a new social media deliverable, you can select which platforms you'd like this deliverable to be for. From Instagram to Twitch to having no preference of the platform you'd like the deliverable to be for, you can choose your options here.

2. You can further specify the type of posts you'd like to create with the platform you have selected. Some post types will have a follow-up question to better understand your request.

3. You are then able to fill out your desired post details and also edit the deliverable. You can add as many specific details as you'd like to help the content creator have a better and clearer direction of your desired social media post deliverables.

Closing thoughts

At OpenSponsorship, we offer social media deliverables as part of our sponsorship opportunities. This means that brands can get their message in front of fans on their favorite channels, increasing brand awareness and driving traffic to their website or store. To learn more about our social media deliverables and how they can help your brand achieve its marketing goals, book a call with our team today!

The growth of social media in the Sports world

The growth of social media in the sports world has expanded in numerous directions. With the growth of TikTok, Instagram, You Tube, and Snapchat, more creative ways are coming out to grow athletes' presence online. 

The statistics below indicate that video recorded or pictured content on social media apps gained more followers from younger audiences. Athletes are developing creative strategies to stay close with fans through video content. The spark in the number of brands partnering with athletes for social media campaigns has increased. Brands are finding more ways to get creative and form a closer reach with audiences. 

More marketing campaigns with athletes are being tailored for social media purposes. Focusing on Instagram Reels and TikToks has seen a huge share when it comes to content creation as it reaches a higher engagement rate. Social media platforms like TikTok have seen a successful spike in growth because of how users are better able to engage with content creators. Fast sharing content has become the new popular way of consuming modern media.

Check Out Brands Who Have Worked with Athletes On Various Social Media Campaigns:

TikTok 

• NBA player James Harden recently partnered with Adidas on a TikTok video promoting the new Harden Vol. 3 basketball shoes. In the video, which has amassed over 2.4 million views, Harden repeatedly asks people if they want his new shoes before giving them a pair.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, a basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks, recently partnered with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to create a series of TikTok videos. In one video, Antetokounmpo drives a Fiat 124 Spider around Milwaukee and talks about his love for the city.

YouTube

• In May 2019, American footballer Antonio Brown posted a video on his YouTube channel of him dancing in a Puma sweatsuit. The video was titled "Antonio Brown x Puma Dance Video" and included the caption, "Had fun dancing in my new @puma sweatsuit! Can't wait to wear it on the field this year!" The video received over 2 million views.
• Adidas also uses an athlete, Lionel Messi, to promote their products. In one YouTube advert, Messi discusses how he started playing football at a very young age, and how Adidas has been with him every step of the way.

Instagram

• With over 9 million followers on Instagram, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of the most popular boxers on the site. His account is full of pictures and videos of his training and matches, as well as sponsored posts for various brands.
• TaylorMade, a golf equipment company, recently partnered with Rory McIlroy to promote their products on Instagram. They posted a series of photos and videos of Rory using their products. The posts received thousands of likes and comments from fans.

Final Thoughts

If you're interested in using athletes to grow your brand awareness, join OpenSponsorship today! We have a growing database of athletes who are eager to connect with new sponsors.

The Do's and Don'ts of Working with Professional Athletes

When it comes to marketing your brand, working with professional athletes can be a great way to reach a new and engaged audience. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when planning your campaign. Here are the do’s and don’ts of working with professional athletes:

When Working with Professional Athletes:

Research the athlete: Make sure you know who you’re working with and what they represent. Be sure that their values align with your own and that they have a similar audience to what you’re trying to reach. For example, an athlete who is known for being outspoken and controversial may not be the best fit for a family-friendly brand.Set clear goals: Both you and the athlete should have a good understanding of what you hope to achieve from the sponsorship. What do you want the athlete to do for you? What do you want the audience to take away from the campaign? Create a campaign that is authentic and relevant to the athlete. Don’t just use them as a spokesperson or endorser without thinking about what they stand for.
Work with a sports sponsorship expert: Working with an experienced sports sponsorship expert can help you navigate through this overwhelming process and find the right athlete for your brand. Especially if you’re not familiar with how to work with professional athletes, it can be helpful to work with a company like OpenSponsorship who is. We will be able to help connect you with the right athletes, have transparent rates, and create a plan that will help achieve your goals.

DON’Ts When Working with Professional Athletes:

Set unrealistic expectations: Sponsoring an athlete is not a guaranteed way to sell more products or services. Keep your expectations realistic and remember that it will take time and effort to see real results. 

Work with the wrong athlete: Steer clear of working with an athlete simply because they are popular or have a lot of followers on social media. Make sure their values align with your brand and that they will be able to authentically promote your product or service. Having the right fit is crucially important.

Ambush an athlete: Ambush marketing is where a brand tries to capitalize on the exposure of another brand without their permission or endorsement. This can create negative associations for both brands and can lead to legal troubles.

Give unclear or vague guidelines. Don't expect an athlete to endorse your product or service without any input from you. An endorsement from an athlete is highly valuable, so you should be prepared to give them some input on what you would like them to say or do.

Ignore red flags: If an athlete has a history of bad behavior or if their values don't align with yours, it's best to steer clear. You don't want any negative press associated with your campaign.

Closing Thoughts on Working with Professional Athletes

With all these tips in mind, brands can now work with professional athletes to create successful and authentic marketing campaigns. At OpenSponsorship, we make sports sponsorship easy by allowing brands to post campaigns for athletes to apply to. You can also search our roster of 15,000+ athletes to find the athlete that's the right fit for your campaign. Sign up for free HERE to simplify all your athlete marketing needs!

3 Campaign Ideas to Build Awareness this Halloween

Halloween is a time when everyone gets excited to dress up in their favorite costumes and have a good time. For athletes, it's also a great opportunity to get involved in some fun and creative marketing campaigns. Here are three of the best ideas for Halloween campaigns that will help build awareness for your brand.

Best Costume Contest with an Athlete

One fun and easy way to generate awareness for your brand around Halloween is by hosting a best costume contest. This can be done in a variety of ways, but involving an athlete as a judge is a great way to add excitement and generate some press. For example, the National Basketball Association (NBA) hosted a “ Trick-or-Treat with the NBA” contest in which fans could submit photos of themselves in their best costumes for the chance to win tickets to an NBA game. In order to make things even more interesting, they enlisted the help of well-known athletes such as Stephen Curry and LeBron James as judges. As a result, this campaign generated excitement and media attention leading up to Halloween.

Social Media Giveaway

Another great way to get people excited about your brand around Halloween is by hosting a social media giveaway. This can be as simple as giving away a prize to one lucky winner who posts about your brand on social media, or it can be more complex like running a sweepstakes with multiple winners. Whatever format you choose, partnering with an athlete is a great way to generate excitement and increase participation. For example, earlier this year Dunkin’ Donuts teamed up with Boston Celtics player Isaiah Thomas to run a social media giveaway campaign. Fans were encouraged to post photos of themselves enjoying Dunkin’ Donuts products using the hashtag #DDxIT for a chance to win tickets to a Celtics game and other prizes. The campaign was successful in driving engagement on social media and helping to promote Dunkin’ Donuts’ products.

Product Photoshoot

If you want to go all out for Halloween, you could organize a product photoshoot with athletes as the stars. This would be a great way to create some buzz around your brand and generate interest in your upcoming Halloween sale. You could even make the photoshoot into a contest, asking fans to vote for their favorite photos. Alternatively, you could release sneak peeks of the photos leading up to the sale in order to generate anticipation. Whatever approach you take, working with athletes is sure to create some excitement and boost foot traffic in your store during the holiday season. For example, Reebok partnered with NFL player DeAngelo Williams to shoot a series of Halloween-themed product photos.

Closing Thoughts

So there you have it, three great ideas for building brand awareness this Halloween. Now all that's left to do is put them into action!

OpenSponsorship is the perfect platform to help you connect with athletes and celebrities who can help take your Halloween campaigns to the next level. Sign up today and get started on building the perfect brand.