Players, clubs 'can seek cosponsors'

Players, clubs 'can seek cosponsors'

JAKARTA (JP): Sports observer Fritz E. Simandjuntak said on
Friday badminton players and clubs could seek cosponsors without
changing the sponsorships deal signed by the Badminton
Association of Indonesia (PBSI) and Japanese sports equipment
producer Yonex.

"It would be much easier if both PBSI and Yonex revised the
deal, particularly the condition saying that PBSI's cosponsorship
deals must be worth US$300,000 per product, per year.

"But even if the deal is not changed, players and clubs can
still seek cosponsors as long as PBSI doesn't sign the deal. The
condition can only be applied if PBSI signs the cosponsor," he
said.

Fritz said the division of sponsorship money between players,
clubs and PBSI could be adjusted depending on who secured the
sponsors.

"If PBSI got the sponsor, then it would receive 50 percent of
the deal while clubs would get 15 percent and athletes 35
percent. If athletes got the sponsors, they would get 50 percent,
clubs earn 35 percent and 15 percent would go to PBSI. If clubs
got the sponsors, they would get 50 percent, athletes 35 percent
and PBSI would get 15 percent. It is fair and everybody would get
their share. It would not break the condition (of the Yonex
deal)," said Fritz, who is chairman of the National Sports
Council's business and sports industry commission.

Fritz was responding to queries by national shuttlers about
the possibility of having individual sponsorships replace the
current collective system.

PBSI gets 50 percent of the $1 million per year from Yonex,
while the other half goes to players.

PBSI chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo asked athletes to draw up
their ideal sponsorship arrangement before the two sides meet
next week to discuss the issue.

Olympic gold medalist Candra Wijaya said earlier athletes were
demanding a revision of the sponsorship system because of the
lack of attention from PBSI and the government to the futures of
the athletes once their playing days are over.

He also complained about the small amount of money he received
from the Yonex deal despite his status, along with partner Tony
Gunawan, as the world's number one men's doubles team.

Fritz -- who is also the marketing, government relations and
communications manager at IBM Indonesia -- said PBSI should not
sign agreements with sponsors on behalf of players, because the
players belong to clubs, not the sports body. He also criticized
PBSI for not being transparent and allowing athletes to know how
much money they each earn from the contract.

The current system gives full authority to PBSI to divide the
money from the sponsorship deal based on the discipline of the
shuttlers, not their achievements.

A mixed doubles team ranked number one in the world could
receive half of a women's singles shuttler whose world ranking
has dropped to the 20s.

Fritz said badminton sponsors could take advantage of their
athletes to promote their products through the electronic and
printed media.

"Sponsors could bring athletes to some of the bigger cities in
the country to promote the sport and the products. They could
also ask players to do charity work, and put this clause in the
deal.

"Unfortunately, neither PBSI or Yonex have explored this side
and it influences the athletes' popularity. On the ATP tour,
tennis players have to join the social programs run by local
organizers and sponsors. It is a good promotion for both the
sponsors and the athletes." (yan)