GIANT EAGLE SPONSORSHIPS Advertisements galore help to bring in bucks

Sponsorships are a big reason why $3 million has been collected in 10 years for local charities.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- For the bargain price of $15,000, you can place an advertisement on the back of the vest of Natalie Gulbis' caddie.
Overpriced? Maybe not.
Just think, Hot 101 could advertise its radio station next to an LPGA golfer who is, well, hot.
And not just during the tournament. He'll also wear it during the Home Savings Pro-Am and the Classic Pro-Am (presented by Cellular One).
It's just one of the eight 'gazillion' advertisements you'll find at this weekend's Giant Eagle LPGA Classic at Squaw Creek Country Club.
"You can sponsor just about anything," said Joe Gregory, the tournament's sales and marketing coordinator. "It depends on what you want to do."
The greens have sponsors. (Diet Pepsi, for example, sponsors the first green.) It's $3,500.
The tees have sponsors. (Also $3,500).
But not bunkers
The bunkers, however, do not. Too bad. I think some companies are really missing out on some prime promotional opportunities.
* "This bunker sponsored by Smuckers -- the best jam for when you're in a jam."
* Or, "Today's rough sponsored by the Smithville JV basketball team -- for the times in life when you miss the cut."
Sponsorship money plays a huge part in the tournament. It helps cover expenses and it's a big reason why the tournament has raised over $3 million in 10 years for local children's and educational charities.
Last year's tournament raised about $450,000 for charity, and this year's tournament is on pace to pass that, Gregory said.
Sponsorship is open to just about anybody.
Want a promotional tent? It's $4,000.
You could also sponsor the putting practice green (Cintas), driving range (Tyson) or the whole darn tournament (Giant Eagle).
Not everything, though
There are limits, of course. Tobacco companies or strip clubs, for instance, can't advertise.
"This is a family event," Gregory said. "We try to create that kind of atmosphere."
Skyboxes (Between $200 and $4,500), scoring signs ($15,000), programs ($1,300 to $15,000) and parking tags ($600) all have sponsors.
Is there anything that isn't sponsored?
"Well, no one's sponsored the Port-A-Johns," Gregory said with a laugh.
Maybe he just hasn't found the right company. ("This Port-A-John sponsored by the L.A. Clippers -- because we both stink.")
Sponsors help
Sponsorships are also key for the players. Players can get free golf clubs, balls and bags. In return, they make appearances and help promote the company.
"It's very expensive to play in the tournaments and it helps cover the costs," said Annette DeLuca, who is sponsored by Titleist. "Especially for the younger players."
The best players have no problem getting sponsorships, but the younger players often struggle to cover travel and hotel costs. If you don't make the cut in a tournament, you don't make any money.
"The foreign players have a few more opportunities," DeLuca said. "The ones in Korea or Asia reach a wider market. And there's a newfound stardom for some of the players, so that helps."
Endorsements
Some of those stars also get endorsement deals, which are even better than sponsorships.
Annika Sorenstam, for instance, represents Callaway Golf, Mercedes-Benz, Oakley, Cutter & amp; Buck, Rolex, Kraft and Microsoft.
Gulbis represents Adidas, TaylorMade and has a trading card deal with Upper Deck. But she can't say how much she gets.
"I wish I could tell you," Gulbis said. "They make us sign clauses in our contracts that we won't talk."
LeBron James' recent contract with Upper Deck was worth $1 million. Is it less than that?
"Yeah, it's less than that," she said with a laugh.
After the interview, Gregory asked me about my interest.
"You thinking of sponsoring something?" he said.
What can I get for $5?
"Well, that and $3 will get you an advance ticket at Giant Eagle," he said.
That's not really a sponsorship. "No, not really," he said.
Too bad. I always wanted my own skybox.
scalzo@vindy.com