Skateboard News at Olliemag

You’re never getting sponsored!

You’ll never get sponsored because you suck balls. You have no idea what the dudes are doing in Europe or even NYC. You have no clue what the guys in San Diego are doing. That’s because you are from the mid west or some po-dunk area in the middle of no where.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with living in a small town. There’s nothing bad about skating what you have and making the best of the situation that’s in front of you. There’s just a problem when you think that you’re good enough to get sponsored by a large skate company when you really aren’t.

Here are 10 rules to think about when you are seeking sponsorships.

1. Watch the latest skate videos. If you can do 50% of the hardest tricks , you have a shot at getting sponsored.
2. Move somewhere that has a legit skate scene. You can’t get any local hype going when there are only 10 skaters in your town.
3. Skateboarding is VERY competitive and a lot of the sponsored skaters take it VERY seriously.
4. Just like any other sport where there is money on the line, you will always have the dudes with abd attitudes that think they are hot shit. Get ready for the stares at trade shows from people that you are trying to take the job of pro skateboarder from.
5. A lot of people in the industry will use you. Keep your eyes and ears peeled at all times. By all means make sure you get a contract when you start riding for a company. If the company doesn’t offer you a legit contract then they are not legit enough to stick by you for a while. And without a contract the company could drop you from the team without even telling you. You could find out on the internet before your team manager calls you.
6. Have a backup plan. Sure the checks are nice, sure the trips are nice, you get laid alot too right ? Well, once you snap your ankle and you can’t film for the next video and you don’t have any ads for 6 months those checks will stop coming. Go to night school and get a degree in something that you enjoy. Skateboarding doesn’t last forever unless you’re Gonz.
7. Treat people nicely. Treat people with respect, say thanks and please. It really goes a LONG way.
8. Stay away from drugs. That shit will ruin any chance you had at becoming a pro.
9. Don’t take it for granted. This means that you should go out every chance you can and try to get new tricks. Always try something new.
10. Have fun!