With the social media revolution and increasing numbers of people sitting on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, athletes and teams are using “crowd-funding” platforms such as MAKEACHAMP for their fundraising. However, it was not always like that, teams and athletes had to rely on traditional fundraising methods to get the funds they need to cover the increasing costs of playing sports.
Teams
Teams have been fundraising for ages now in order to mainly pay for equipment and travel. Fundraising involved various methods from holding a car wash, selling anything from chocolate bars to cheese and even sponsor hunting. Any kid that was playing on a local football, baseball, soccer team had to walk around selling chocolate bars or wash cars on weekends. With this type of fundraising there was a lot of logistical efforts and even large investments of start-up costs. Even the result was not profitable after subtracting all the costs.
As people began using emails, their profits would increase. In these emailing platforms kids would email their family members or relatives until contributions would flow in.
Individual athletes
Individual athletes in individual sports such as boxing, swimming, tennis… etc. had two major ways they would receive funds. The first one was government support. Every country has their own criteria by which they judge which athletes get funding. Athletes that didn't fit in this criteria end up without government support. While those that do get financial support from the government have to continue performing up to a certain standard otherwise they are cut from financial support.
The second method of funding involves getting sponsorship. Sponsorship occurs when a company or corporation is paying an athlete in order to leverage that athlete’s image /status for its needs. Not only are sponsorships rare, they often end up unsatisfactory for both parties.
Enter Crowdfunding for teams and athletes
Fundraising for athletes and teams is entering a new phase led by MAKEACHAMP. With the introduction of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all the other platforms, athletes and teams can now have access to a large group of audience. This audience can include colleagues, friends and with the help of sharing capabilities - friends of friends.
Crowdfunding platforms allow teams and athletes to create their own pages with their own links. These pages will allow teams and athletes to showcase their financial needs. The fact that these pages have their own links, they can be shared throughout social media and the entire internet.