Crowdfunding for individual athletes?

Good question for Rick @ Informed Athlete. 

Personally, that idea would not have sat well with our family values. 

Nuke83 posted:

Lol.

Elijah posted:

Nuke83 posted:

Lol.

🤣

baseballmom posted:

Good question for Rick @ Informed Athlete. 

Personally, that idea would not have sat well with our family values. 

Not picking a fight, promise. That concept of crowd funding is widely used in high school sports today. In my kid’s HS baseball program, every player Frosh to senior is required to provide at least 20 valid email addresses that the team send a solicitation email to. Figure 60 boys x 20 addresses = 1,200 possible donors. And it works. Last season they raised $25K that the coach pissed away on stupid things instead of making meaningful investment in the program’s facilities.

It didn’t sit well with me, sent every email address that we gave them a head’s up to tell them to expect the email and to delete them. We donated enough ourselves to meet the expectation...

GaryMe posted:

baseballmom posted:

Good question for Rick @ Informed Athlete. 

Personally, that idea would not have sat well with our family values. 

Not picking a fight, promise. That concept of crowd funding is widely used in high school sports today. In my kid’s HS baseball program, every player Frosh to senior is required to provide at least 20 valid email addresses that the team send a solicitation email to. Figure 60 boys x 20 addresses = 1,200 possible donors. And it works. Last season they raised $25K that the coach pissed away on stupid things instead of making meaningful investment in the program’s facilities.

It didn’t sit well with me, sent every email address that we gave them a head’s up to tell them to expect the email and to delete them. We donated enough ourselves to meet the expectation...

GaryMe, I agree with you. Not a fan of peer pressuring family and friends.

Well, get used to it, guys.  It happens at most colleges too.  Not crowdfunding per se but having players hit up family and friends for various fundraisers for the baseball program.  And, then, you are on the general school mailers for contributions for life.  I don't think so much for the big D1's but most of the others from my experience.

My 2 cents ... I would think that while still in school crowdfunding for an individual would be frowned upon - if not against the rules.  I see it as a player using their athletic talent to earn $.   Look what happened to the poor kicker from the school in FL.  He lost his scholarship / eligibility because he was posting videos of him kicking a football in amusing situations.   He was providing a service - entertainment - for a subscription to his blog.

Imagine a booster - crowdfunding a 5 star recruit - no limits.  Ripe for corruption.

Now after the college eligibility is complete - I see it happening.  Golfers - for example can crowdfund to help pay their way through the mini tours as they try and make it to the big show.  The "investors" may get a % stake in they future earnings.  However if this happens, I believe they loose their amateur status.

Not sure why a minor league baseball player couldn't do the same.  Set up a corporation, sell shares in himself ... dividends paid on earnings.  Some players would be considered penny stocks ... low investment - high risk - high reward.  Others blue chips - more certain to make the show and pay off.

Just another example of people  wanting hand outs and someone else to put in the work for their benefit.  I like the lawn mowing meme.

Nuke83 has the RIGHT idea. In 1999, son helped "pay his way" to USSSA Worlds in Baton Rouge La...mowed lawns, washed cars & house windows, dug flower beds up, packed books at the school Library, assembled metal storage racks for a neighbors garage...earned several hundred $$ in 2-3 weeks. Learned THIS is how life works! 

cabbagedad posted:

Well, get used to it, guys.  It happens at most colleges too.  Not crowdfunding per se but having players hit up family and friends for various fundraisers for the baseball program.  And, then, you are on the general school mailers for contributions for life.  I don't think so much for the big D1's but most of the others from my experience.

Yes my daughter's D1 volleyball program does some fundraising - we contribute b/c she is on scholarship, but we try to avoid asking family members and friends to do so.

NewUmpire posted:

My 2 cents ... I would think that while still in school crowdfunding for an individual would be frowned upon - if not against the rules.  I see it as a player using their athletic talent to earn $.   Look what happened to the poor kicker from the school in FL.  He lost his scholarship / eligibility because he was posting videos of him kicking a football in amusing situations.   He was providing a service - entertainment - for a subscription to his blog.

Imagine a booster - crowdfunding a 5 star recruit - no limits.  Ripe for corruption.

Now after the college eligibility is complete - I see it happening.  Golfers - for example can crowdfund to help pay their way through the mini tours as they try and make it to the big show.  The "investors" may get a % stake in they future earnings.  However if this happens, I believe they loose their amateur status.

Not sure why a minor league baseball player couldn't do the same.  Set up a corporation, sell shares in himself ... dividends paid on earnings.  Some players would be considered penny stocks ... low investment - high risk - high reward.  Others blue chips - more certain to make the show and pay off.

 

 

This is happening with minor league players.  They receive loans that are not to be paid back just a % of future earnings for the rest of their lives.  Some have received large loans for as much as 25% of their future earnings for life.  The companies/agencies that do it are risking that they get their money back and more.  Some love it and others say it is exploitation of the minor league athlete who needs money now and is willing to gamble their future earnings for immediate satisfaction.  The argument against it is the return could be millions of dollars for a small amount immediately. 

The crowdfunding thing is being tested as to whether it meets NCAA rules because people are giving due to a relationship with a particular athlete.  If it is found to be a violation, it will be interesting to see if they grandfather in current athletes and programs or if they blast everyone.  It could trickle down to the schools or organizations that do it, like the high school mentioned above.  That could be a big blast.  It would be a shame for a player to lose their eligibility due to a high school coach's greed.

cabbagedad posted:

Well, get used to it, guys.  It happens at most colleges too.  Not crowdfunding per se but having players hit up family and friends for various fundraisers for the baseball program.  And, then, you are on the general school mailers for contributions for life.  I don't think so much for the big D1's but most of the others from my experience.

What bothers me about the fundraisers now is they just want a straight donation. They don't even mark crap up and sell it! Had a kid in a Juco 2 years ago that did a team gear fundraiser so I bought a hat. Kid at a different juco this year sent me a link just for a straight donation. What the hell? At least work for my money.

I don't begrudge juco athletes for hitting me up for a few dollars, and I respect any HS players who take the time to sell raffle tickets etc. to support their program.

But what the OP was talking about is different, isn't it?  There wasn't much detail but it sounds like a Go Fund Me for an individual player used to finance their travel costs, showcases, etc.?  That doesn't sound kosher or like anything I would be willing to contribute to.

baseballmom posted:

Nuke83 has the RIGHT idea. In 1999, son helped "pay his way" to USSSA Worlds in Baton Rouge La...mowed lawns, washed cars & house windows, dug flower beds up, packed books at the school Library, assembled metal storage racks for a neighbors garage...earned several hundred $$ in 2-3 weeks. Learned THIS is how life works! 

Agree... this is most important and one of the best "life lessons" to be learned when involved with sports.  I don't totally discount that there is also something to be learned in soliciting directly for funds but that is not nearly as valuable a lesson.  Similarly, like Ironhorse says, at least work for my money.

If you are good enough, travel teams seem to make "it work" for the right players.

If your player wasn't playing baseball, you would be spending the money on something else the child was interested in:  golf green fees and clubs, piano instrument and lessons, ballet lessons and costly outfits, etc.   Forego the beach vacation and holiday Caribbean cruise for a few years.  

And, if you think money spent for travel ball, lessons, practices, bats and gloves ends at high school, you will never see your son play in college (unless he plays nearby).  If he is lucky enough to play summer ball at the Cape, Northwoods, Hamptons, etc....plan to take your vacation there .  You will not regret it.  The beach will always be there.

It will be very interesting to see how GoFundMe/RallyMe will affect the amateur player.  

JCG posted:

I don't begrudge juco athletes for hitting me up for a few dollars, and I respect any HS players who take the time to sell raffle tickets etc. to support their program.

But what the OP was talking about is different, isn't it?  There wasn't much detail but it sounds like a Go Fund Me for an individual player used to finance their travel costs, showcases, etc.?  That doesn't sound kosher or like anything I would be willing to contribute to.

True, I gave no specifics as to why I asked the question because I was thinking more about rules and eligibility. There are many creative ways you could use a crowdfunding app. If you're brainstorming, it would have value (and lessons for your child) on many levels. From a teaching perspective, your child could gain insight to a few different disciplines. 

I miss 1989 - even 1999, but tech has changed the way our children can  learn a lesson. I do appreciate the comments. Gave me a few good ideas.