Benefits of Youth Sports Sponsorship
Author: Amy Freeman | July 31, 2023
If you've ever been to a local soccer, baseball or basketball game, you know that the excitement in the air is palpable. Kids are thrilled at the chance to get on the field, parents are excited to see their kids in action and coaches are pumped to see their hard work and training pay off. As a local business owner, you might wonder what you can do to support the people involved.
One option is youth sports sponsorship. Your roofing company gives a team money, which it uses to pay for uniforms, equipment and other needs. Sponsorship isn't a one-way street, however: Your company benefits along with the sports team. If you're wondering how sponsoring a local team will pay off in the long run, learn more about the benefits of giving your support.
Building Your Brand and Supporting Your Community
Whether your roofing business has been around for ages or is new to an area, sponsoring a local team can help get the word out about your company and build your reputation. Community involvement is one way to generate business leads and reach new customers. Depending on the sponsorship level, a team might print your company's name on its uniforms or hang a banner advertising your business from the dugout. People will see your name or logo any time they go to games. The players' families will see your brand name whenever they receive information about their children's team.
When your business sponsors a local team, you're agreeing to support your community in some way. Giving a donation to a team or league, even if it's just a few hundred dollars, can help reduce the cost of programming for participants. More kids might be able to participate in a sport if the cost to do so is reduced. Helping a local team can even help boost local good opinions of the roofing industry and inspire your competitors to give back, too.
Youth Sports Sponsorship Can Be Tax-Deductible
As a financial incentive to sponsoring a local sports team, you can usually deduct your contribution as a business expense when you file your business' tax return. The IRS lets companies deduct expenses that are "ordinary and necessary." Sponsoring a local team is a form of marketing and advertising, and it's considered necessary because it can help your business succeed. Since many companies participate in some form of sponsorship, the expense is also considered ordinary.
Boosting Employee Retention
Deciding to sponsor a sports team sends a message to your employees that you care. When your workers see that you're invested in the community and that you value giving back, they are more likely to stick around. Employee retention can help you save money on recruiting and hiring costs and can also help to build a feeling of goodwill within the company.
How to Sponsor a Local Team
The first step toward sponsoring a local team is finding one that's in need of a sponsor. If you or your employees have kids, this might not be difficult to do. You can also research local youth sports leagues in your area and contact them directly.
Next, decide how much you can contribute to the team. Some leagues have distinct sponsorship levels. For example, if your company gives $500, you might get listed as a sponsor in the team's program at the end of the year. If you contribute $1,000, you might get your logo printed on the team's uniform.
Once you've found a team to support and have made your contribution, spread the word about it. You can mention your sponsorship on your company website and other marketing materials. For example, if you send out a customer newsletter, mention the team you're sponsoring and share their game schedule for the season.
Sponsoring a team means more than offering financial support — whether they're your kids or not, show that you're excited for the players and what's in store for them this season.