If you’re a good enough Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor then you can get paid a lot of money for wearing sponsored clothes. From gis to rashguards, if you’re big enough then the money and deals can be easy enough. According to internet rumors at the time, Gordon Ryan was being paid around $5000 per month by Hypnotik – such was his pulling power which means he may have been taking home $60,000 per year before taxes.
Similarly, certain other big names are also paid a nice sum for wearing clothes. Up until 2021, Keenan Cornelius had worn Hyperfly for several years and probably also commanded a decent fee. Having said this, these are some of the most known and very top competitors in the BJJ world. For everyone else, the reality is that sponsorship simply isn’t that easy – and can be a tough place to start. Here’s how to get a clothes sponsorship for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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Be a good competitor
Some people may be shocked to know that sponsors will often reach out to good competitors, even if they’re not black belts. In some cases, even talented blue belts can get solid sponsorship deals. As these athletes are relatively unknown compared to black belts, the reality is that the deals aren’t going to be in the same league.
This means that if you are a blue or purple belt – you probably won’t get paid. However, you can get free gis, rashguards and general apparel. As many will argue, BJJ can be expensive. This means a free gi every 4 months or so can go a long way. Many of these competitors will even sell certain gis online with sites like eBay. This won’t make you wealthy, but it will probably pay for the odd competition every now and then.
Have a big social media presence
One of the biggest names in BJJ is Kurt Osiander. Known for his banter and personality, he was still pulling in sponsors long after competing. This was a testament to his success as a character as much as anything. Although he didn’t get much in terms of free clothing, he did use his Youtube channel to plug certain products that were in line with his image and related to BJJ.
Financially, this makes sense as his channel racked up millions of views. Often though, BJJ ‘influencers’ will not even be on Youtube, and many will use platforms like Instagram instead. So, even if you’re not particularly talented at BJJ – you can still pull in sponsors by simply having a big following. Even if your skill is making memes or just being funny, don’t let that put you off and in the modern age companies are easily attracted to social media presences.
Ask around and network
In terms of business, one of the biggest tragedies is to see talented Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitors who don’t sell themselves. In an ideal world, they wouldn’t have to – but in terms of money sometimes a little self promotion goes a long way. Although often hated, Dillon Danis is a master of this and often sells betting tips and links on his Instagram page. The point is, if you don’t put yourself out there – then it’s difficult for brands to come chasing you.
This means, there’s no harm in contacting these companies directly. Don’t feel embarrassed to email or direct message them and ask the question. The worst they can say is no. This is especially helpful if you have a friend who is sponsored and knows a contact. In other words, if you’re good enough – you’re doing the outreach work for the sponsor which they should be grateful for. Just don’t expect a ten figure deal just yet.
Approach upcoming brands
Realistically, you’re not going to get much love if you’re a blue belt who asks Kingz for a sponsorship. However, if you go after smaller brands, then it possible. Especially if the brand is local and just starting out then it can be a mutually beneficial relationship.
Let’s say you have a competition coming up and 1000 Instagram followers, they can give you a rashguard to wear. Potentially, hundreds of like-minded BJJ people could view their new design. If it’s particularly good and well made, then it’s a good investment on their behalf. Arguably, this is one of the best ways to go about getting a sponsorship in BJJ.
What do BJJ sponsors usually offer?
When thinking on a basic level, most people think of sponsors as gifting gis, rashguards and maybe the odd bit of casual clothing. For the most part, this is the correct answer. However, sometimes it’s good to think outside the box.
For instance, sponsorship can come in a number of different ways and isn’t always a fixed idea. An example of this is training in a BJJ house. Sometimes, if you’re very talented and young, big gyms will let you live in a house with other talented competitors. The idea is that the house is subsidized or even free.
The catch? Often, you may have to teach at the said gym…which is fine if you practically live there anyway. You may be on fewer wages but if rent is free then it’s a good deal for everyone. Remember, every time you compete, you’re almost like an advert for that gym as well. So it makes sense. In some cases, certain US gyms will also sponsor the visa of talented Brazilians in order to aid their career.
Another alternative way of gaining a sponsorship is via a franchise gym. For instance, Gracie Barra have their ‘ambassador’ program which is kind of like a sponsorship. Here, Gracie Barra will give a certain level of money to fund their top competitors to compete.
As we all know, competition isn’t cheap…so if you need to fly out to another continent it can cost hundreds of dollars. If you train at a Gracie Barra and get onto their ambassador program then you will get some of your flights and competitions paid for. As being a competitor can be financially challenging, this can go a long way.
Summary
Overall, gaining a sponsorship in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not always easy. Nonetheless, most of the time if you let your own success do the talking, then the financial benefits will eventually come along. Whether that is in the form of competition or a social media presence, there are multiple ways to gain a sponsorship.
Having said this, the main goal of your BJJ lifestyle should be simply to succeed and enjoy everyday as it comes. If your main intention is to earn a fast buck then this probably won’t work in the long run. Therefore, it’s nice to seek sponsors but ultimately it should be something on the side that supplements your Jiu Jitsu, and shouldn’t be a large part of your goals.
