If you're an up-and-coming Jiu Jitsu athlete, you’ve probably thought about getting sponsored, right? Maybe you’ve sent a ton of DMs, but all you’ve gotten in return is silence. You’re not the only one. We get plenty of sponsorship requests at Riot Sports and, trust us, we know what works and what doesn’t. So let’s break it down: how can you stand out and land that sponsorship?
If you're ready to stop getting ignored and start getting noticed, keep reading!
Put Yourself in Their Shoes
Running a Jiu Jitsu brand isn’t easy. We’re not talking about big corporations here—we’re talking about small businesses, often run by one or two people, trying to make a name in a highly competitive space. Many brands pour a lot of time, money, and effort into their products, and every dollar counts.
So when you reach out for a sponsorship, don’t just shoot a "sponsor me" message from a private account with only a handful of posts (yes, that’s happened!). Instead, take a step back and think about how you can add value to the brand. Understand their struggles and see where you can help. Maybe you can create content, offer exposure, or share their brand with a new audience. Showing that you get their hustle will go a long way and make you stand out from the crowd.
It's Not About the Numbers—It's About the Engagement
Sure, a big social media following might seem like a good way to get a brand's attention, but it’s not everything. We’ve worked with influencers who have hundreds of thousands of followers and gotten barely any sales or engagement in return. On the flip side, we've had smaller athletes with a more engaged following and killer contentcreate organic growth.
Here’s the deal: brands want real engagement, not just big numbers. Focus on quality over quantity—create content that resonates with your followers and brings value. If your audience interacts with your posts, shares your content, and genuinely cares about what you do, you’re much more likely to get noticed by a brand that values community and authenticity over vanity metrics.
Don’t Just Ask for a Handout: Show Support First
Here’s a story we’ve seen replayed over and over again: A brand gets an exciting sponsorship request from an athlete with tens of thousands of followers. The brand, being a small startup, gets excited about the opportunity and sends out free products. But here’s the kicker—the athlete never shares anything about the brand or engages with it at all. In fact, the athlete might even have a sponsorship from a competing brand that they’re not disclosing.
This happens way too often in the industry, and it’s frustrating for brands. So, what’s the solution? Show support first. Don’t just ask for free stuff—build a genuine relationship with the brand first. Share their content, engage with their posts, and show you believe in what they’re doing. Once you’ve built that rapport, the brand is much more likely to want to work with you in a more official capacity.
Many brands, like ours, offer ambassador programs as a first step. Through these programs, you can earn discounts, commissions, and eventually land a paid sponsorship as your partnership grows. But it all starts with showing that you’re committed to the brand—not just asking for a handout.
Make It a Two-Way Street
Don’t expect a brand to just hand out sponsorships without any exchange. Brands, especially small ones like ours, are always looking for ways to maximize value and help grow their business. If you're expecting a few hundred bucks to cover gear or competition fees without offering anything in return, you might want to rethink your approach.
Think about it—how can you make the brand's life easier? Could you create some social media content, write a blog post, or help promote their products in a creative way? Even reposting their content or tagging them in your training videos can help. Brands want athletes who are willing to put in the effort to make the partnership worthwhile. Offering your help with content creation or marketing can save the brand time and resources, making you an essential part of their team.
Show What Makes You Unique
The world of Jiu Jitsu is full of talented athletes, and the competition for sponsorships is fierce. However, you don’t have to be a world champion to get noticed. At Riot Sports, we know that not every athlete is going to be a world champion, but everyone has something unique to offer. Maybe you train at a powerhouse gym with top-tier athletes or maybe you’re just starting your journey and bringing a fresh perspective to the game.
Your unique angle could be your training environment, your work ethic, or your connection to a certain community. Think about how you can bring value to the brand through your story and connections. For example, we’ve worked with athletes who might not be the biggest names, but their access to world-class training and ability to connect with high-level athletes has been huge for getting our gear in front of new eyes.
If you can offer exposure to a new group of athletes or fans—whether it’s through your unique training environment or connections—you’ve got something valuable that can help the brand grow.
Experience as a Customer First
The best athletes are often those who truly believe in the brand and have used their products long before seeking a sponsorship. If you’ve already been a customer, show that commitment. Share your experience with the brand, explain how their gear or supplements have helped you in your journey, and let them know why you’re passionate about representing them. A genuine, long-term connection to the brand will always be more valuable than just another athlete asking for free gear with no previous connection.
When you approach a brand, show them that you’ve been invested in their products and are already a part of their community. This demonstrates your commitment to their success, and brands love working with athletes who truly represent the brand’s values.
Help Small Brands by Thinking Big
At Riot Sports, we're all about disrupting fight culture and bringing a new level of professionalism to Jiu Jitsu. But we can’t do it alone. Small brands like ours are constantly juggling a million tasks and looking for partners who understand the struggle. When you're reaching out for a sponsorship, it’s important to think about how you can help grow the brand, not just get free gear.
Small businesses don’t have a huge marketing department or endless resources. But you do have something valuable to offer: your network, your creativity, and your ability to engage with your community. Whether it’s creating content, writing about the brand, or helping to spread the word, think about how you can help the brand expand its reach and save time. After all, it’s all about building a long-term partnership.
Stay Committed to Your Growth
Getting a sponsorship isn’t the end goal—it’s just the beginning. To keep getting sponsored and continue to grow, you have to keep evolving. Keep improving your Jiu Jitsu, keep engaging with your audience, and stay consistent. Brands like Riot Sports want athletes who are in it for the long haul, not just the next competition. Stay true to your journey, and sponsors will see the commitment, passion, and growth that makes you a perfect fit for their brand.
Position Yourself for Sponsorship Success
If you want to land a Jiu Jitsu sponsorship in 2025, it’s about more than just asking for free gear. To stand out, you need to show that you’re committed, that you bring value to the table, and that you have something unique to offer. Understand the brand's challenges, think creatively, and collaborate with them in a way that benefits both of you.
At Riot Sports, we’re looking for athletes who want to disrupt fight culture, represent something bigger than just competition, and help elevate the sport. If that sounds like you, we’d love to connect and help you grow—together.
