To Sponsor or not to sponsor

I have a friend who plays poker for a living. Not even as a hobby and he even admits that he does it just because he is good but would do better if he could find a sponsor to give him the money to play.

I am considering being his sponsor but my big worry is how will it look for a non profit company like mine to sponsor gambling? I just seems weird right? Or is it just me?

I'm considering sponsoring my local kids little league because it just a baseball team , however this is a really small neighborhood so it won't really change my company at all..

What do you think? Should a non profit company sponsor a poker player?

 

Although playing Poker can be a legitimate profession and there are lots of people who do quite well and are not the stereotyped "degenerate gambler", associating a non-profit agency with a professional poker play would probably harm your image.

 

i do not think playing poker is legitimate and i do support sponsoring poker.

 

Hi Sweet, just my advice.

Do not combine business and friendship. It can destroy both.


regards, LASSE

 

No one should sponsor a poker player. Religion, morals and ethics don't even enter the conversation, just logic: If he's such a good poker player then why's he need a sponsor?

 

ummm because its free money? what a ridiculous thing to say. why do sports stars accept endorsements and such if they are the best in the world at their sport?

 

Do it all online my friend =]

If you are in the market for that type of thing, there is no reason why Google Adwords cannot help you out

Cheers

 

Thanks so much for the needed advice. I agree on all your points. I think it is very risky. I will have to really think more about it over time.

 

You should try with the amount you can invest. I have some friends who play poker as well, but then yeah.. lend money or whatever to a friend you lose friend and money.

 

I really do not see a problem with sponsoring a poker player. Sure, your company is non-profit, but do people really care what you sponsor, especially if it's a friend? They won't judge you by who or what you sponsor (to an extent), they will judge you by how you go about doing business and what your morals.

 

i wouldnt do that, money kills friendship besides poker is not my cup of tea....(non religious sin)

 

No you should not because betting is not for non profit company revenue.

If you want,just use your own money to sponsor.

 

I would not risk it, but maybe you can help him get someone else to sponsor him?

 

Do the owners of non profit companies buy lottery tickets?

I don't see a problem with it, the only thing you need to do is be sure that your happy personally doing so.

 

Poker can be fun for those who enjoy it however overall it would hurt your company image non profit or not. Look at what your non-profit does, who it caters to. Build a persona around your customers and advertise where they would see you. Easier said than done so you should get assistance from a local based marketing firm. Good luck!

 

So Here's an update

My so called friend ended up being a complete jerk right before I was going to send him like $100 to play in a few tournaments. He got really stressed out and starting being overly rude to me and stuff like calling me names and I'm a so called friend. I just can't do business with someone who calls me names. When I told him that I no longer wanted to even talk to him again instead of saying sorry he curse me out some more!
I am still gonna start 3 poker sites... with luck I will find some nice poker players who don't curse me out for no reason at all!
Super happy I listened to you all and didn't get my non profit involved in this kind of drama. Thanks!