The best way to lower league fees is by soliciting sponsors. Not just 1 sponsor, but multiple sponsors. Softball America requires only 1 sponsor fee per team for the year regardless of how many sponsors a team may have. Money raised over and above the initial sponsor fee is for the team to use to lower league fees. Additional sponsors can be named on the backs of the team jerseys, baseball caps, or on outfield banners. Just keep in mind that your team can only be named after 1 sponsor in the standings and on the schedule and game line. Additionally, only that named sponsor will receive a championship plaque and be listed on championship shirts-- should the team be so fortunate.
Ed Lowry and the Thursday Mens Black-Jacks basically have a free ride for the year courtesy of Edibles, New Moon Tavern, and Zappe's Accounting.
As an example a team gets a sponsor to kick in $600.00 in the beginning of the softball year. $200.00 goes for sponsor fee and $400.00 goes to the team to lower league fees. With a 12-person roster league fees would drop to $59.00 per player, per season. To take this one step further, if any roster members pay the year in advance (3 season discount), the league fee drops to $147.00 per player for the year ($49.00 per season).
Now, get another sponsor to kick in, lets say, $500.00. That entire amount goes to the team. This would now reduce league fees to $45.00 per player, per season. Any roster member that pays the year in advance (3 season discount) further reduces their league fee to $105.00 ($35.00 per season).
The only restriction is any new or replacement player in any new season will not be able to take advantage of the 3-league discounted league fee. Regardless, the team still has full roster flexibility from season to season.
Ed Lowry and the Thursday Mens Black-Jacks basically have a free ride for the year courtesy of Edibles, New Moon Tavern, and Zappe's Accounting.
As an example a team gets a sponsor to kick in $600.00 in the beginning of the softball year. $200.00 goes for sponsor fee and $400.00 goes to the team to lower league fees. With a 12-person roster league fees would drop to $59.00 per player, per season. To take this one step further, if any roster members pay the year in advance (3 season discount), the league fee drops to $147.00 per player for the year ($49.00 per season).
Now, get another sponsor to kick in, lets say, $500.00. That entire amount goes to the team. This would now reduce league fees to $45.00 per player, per season. Any roster member that pays the year in advance (3 season discount) further reduces their league fee to $105.00 ($35.00 per season).
The only restriction is any new or replacement player in any new season will not be able to take advantage of the 3-league discounted league fee. Regardless, the team still has full roster flexibility from season to season.
Our league has more than 1,500 people playing softball from week to week and season to season. Anyone with a business should certainly benefit from that kind of exposure. If nothing else, sponsoring a team creates a great deal of good will within the league and that can go a very long way in producing a positive company image.
