Compare a custom apparel store with local business sponsorships: effort, what each side gets, how predictable the money is, and when sponsorships are the better fit.
By Swag31 team · Published · Updated
Side by side
Sponsorship amounts depend entirely on your community and what you offer, so we give no figures. Swag31's numbers come from our own pricing page.
Business sponsorships compared with a Swag31 apparel store
Sponsorships
Custom apparel store (Swag31)
Volunteer effort
Pitching, follow-up, delivering the benefits you promised
Setup once, then share the link
Upfront cost / inventory
None, but you owe sponsors visibility
$0 upfront; no inventory
What supporters get
Businesses get recognition (banner, jersey logo, shout-outs)
Custom team apparel shipped to their home
Team share
The agreed amount per sponsor, set in the deal
Item price minus print cost, buyer-paid shipping, card processing and a 5% platform fee; plus the Season Pass ($89 by card or $99 from first sales)
Predictability
High once agreed
Depends on sales
Best for
Large, fixed costs
Steady season-long income and event drops
Pros and cons of each
Apparel store
Strengths
No pitching or cold calls.
Anyone can take part at any price point.
Can run alongside sponsorships: sponsors for the fixed cost, a store for everything else.
Trade-offs
Revenue builds up from many small sales, so it is less predictable.
Unlikely to cover a single large cost quickly.
Share depends on item pricing and costs.
Business sponsorships
Strengths
One agreement can cover a large cost.
Money is agreed upfront, so planning is easier.
Builds relationships with local businesses.
Trade-offs
Needs someone comfortable asking, and several asks can precede one yes.
You owe sponsors benefits and follow-through.
Local business budgets are limited and many ask for something in return.
When the other option is better
You have one large cost to cover, such as uniforms, a van, or tournament fees.
A parent has business connections and likes the work.
You want funding that is agreed in advance rather than earned sale by sale.
Sources
This page quotes no outside figures. Swag31's numbers come from our pricing page.