Well said too, but there are levels of sponsorship as with any sport. Just for example, look at this new show on MTV "Rob and Big" Rob dyrdek is a pro skateboarder, ive known about him for years when I use to skate, anyways, hes sponsored by DC shoes if you cant tell by watching one show then your blind, DC this DC that, his buddy wears the stuff and hes also had a shoe out for years. This guy is at the ultimate level of sponsorship imo, Im sure DC sends him loads of product and he is involved in the developement of their line. My good friend is a sponsored snowboarder, hes got a few good sponsors like Atomic and Anon goggles. Well Atomic doesnt send him a board every week nor does he get involved with development of new boards, However he calls a rep and tells him what he needs and they usually send it no fuss, hes not ordering things for all us whenever we need it, but normally just gives us his old product. Then their is your up and coming rider or athlete in any sport, kinda like my position and many others. You asking for some help in return you get a deal on a product you would use anyway, they send ya some stickers and ask to put a good name out on their product, I was in the same boat when I competed in snowboarding, I got a company Last Chance sportswear, they didnt make much product for me to sport on the hill but id wear a hat, throw stickers on my board and car and we had a good deal going, its still a sponsorship, just not a factory team rider as in alot of sports like MX etc.
