You don't have to be a salesman. You're asking people who already like you to support your team. This playbook tells you exactly what to do, what to say, and what to do next.
Realtors, Lenders, InsuranceAnyone who sells their service in your zip code. They love community visibility.
Contractors + TradesPlumber, electrician, HVAC, landscaper, painter, pool guy.
RestaurantsWhere you eat with your family. Where your team eats. Locally owned spots.
Alumni + SMCHS CommunityAnyone who graduated from SMCHS. Anyone who has a kid at the school.
Parent's WorkYour parent's company, business, or any vendor they've used.
Goal: 20 names by tonight. You'll text 10, follow up with 5, and one of them says yes. Three of those = your $1,000 minimum.
3
Send the first text
Pick the one that fits. Send 10 of them. Don't overthink it.
🤝 Family Friend or Neighbor
Hi [Name], it's [Your Name], Chad and Lisa's son. Our football team is doing 2026 advertising sponsorships. Packages start at $350 and any sponsorship counts toward my fundraising goal. Here's the link: smeaglesfootball.com/sponsors. If you pick one, please add my name at checkout. Thanks for thinking about it!
🏪 Local Business Owner
Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] from Santa Margarita football. We're doing 2026 advertising sponsorships and I'm reaching out to local businesses that might want to get in front of every Eagles family this season. Packages start at $350 (digital program) up to $5,000 (video board at Saddleback). Link: smeaglesfootball.com/sponsors. If you decide to do one, please put my name at checkout. Happy to answer anything!
🎓 Alumni or SMCHS Community
Hi [Name], it's [Your Name] from the SM Eagles football team. The program is doing 2026 advertising sponsorships and I know you've supported SM before. Any sponsorship credits to my fundraising goal. Link: smeaglesfootball.com/sponsors. If you pick one up, please add my name at checkout. Go Eagles!
👨👩 Someone You Know Well
Hey [Name]! Quick favor. Our football team is doing 2026 advertising sponsorships and any one I close credits toward my fundraising. Even the $350 community tier helps. Link: smeaglesfootball.com/sponsors. Please put my name at checkout if you pick one. Thanks!
4
Follow up (after 2-3 days)
Most yeses come from the follow-up. Don't skip this step.
2-3 days later
Hey [Name], just following up on the Eagles sponsorship I mentioned. No pressure at all. Easiest spot is smeaglesfootball.com/sponsors. Let me know if you have questions!
1 week later
Hey [Name], quick reminder, our sponsorship deadline is July 17 and a couple of the tiers are limited. If it's not a fit, totally understand. If it is, link is smeaglesfootball.com/sponsors. Thanks for considering!
5
Help them pick a package
Most people want to be told what fits. Use this cheat sheet.
"I just want to support you"
JV / Community, $350
"I own a small business"
Bronze, $1,000
"I want my logo on the field"
Silver, $2,500 (best value)
"I want max visibility"
Gold, $5,000
"I want something exclusive"
Ask about game-day add-ons (touchdown, 1st down, covers)
"My senior is on the team"
Senior Tribute ($325) or Dedication ($650)
6
⚠️ Make sure they put your name at checkout
This is the most-forgotten step. If they don't pick your name from the dropdown at checkout, you don't get credit.
Every text you send needs to end with some version of: "Please put my name at checkout." Then double-check after they say yes. A quick text confirms it:
Confirmation text after they say they're doing it
Awesome, thank you so much! Quick thing, at checkout there's a dropdown that says "credit this sponsorship to a player." Please pick [Your Name]. Otherwise it goes uncredited. Appreciate it!
7
Say thank you (always)
Thank yes AND no. People remember how you closed the loop.
After they sponsor (a yes!)
[Name], huge thank you. That genuinely helps me hit my goal. I'll keep you posted on the season. Go Eagles!
If they decline
Totally understood, thanks for considering it! Really appreciate you taking the time. Go Eagles!
In-person pitches by length
5-Second Ask 5s
"Hey, can I send you our football sponsorship link? Packages start at $350."
10-Second Pitch 10s
"Our football team is doing advertising sponsorships for 2026. We're the state champs, Carson Palmer's the coach. Want me to send you the link?"
20-Second Pitch 20s
"We're doing 2026 football sponsorships. There's a $350 package that gets you in the digital program, all the way up to $5,000 packages with your logo on the video board at Saddleback. Want me to text you the link?"
30-Second Pitch 30s
"Quick thing. Our football team is doing 2026 advertising sponsorships and every player has to raise money. We're the state champs, ranked #4 in the country by MaxPreps, Carson Palmer is our coach. Sponsorships start at $350 and go up to $5,000 for full premium visibility. Any sponsorship credits to my fundraising. Mind if I text you the link?"
In-person playbook
Walking into a local business
"Hi, I'm [Name], a player on the Santa Margarita football team. I'm visiting local businesses about our 2026 advertising sponsorships. Could I leave you a one-pager and follow up later this week? Best person to give it to?"
After church or a community event
"[Name], good to see you. Quick thing, we're doing football sponsorships for the upcoming season. Even the $350 tier really helps. Can I text you the link?"
What NOT to do in person
Don't interrupt a busy customer. Wait for a lull or ask "got 30 seconds?"
Don't argue or push if they say no. Thank them and move on.
Don't promise something that's not on the sponsor page. If they ask, "I'm not sure, but I can find out."
Don't over-explain. Once they say "send me the link," stop pitching.
Don't show up at dinner rush. Walk into a restaurant at 2 PM, not 7 PM.
Objections + easy answers
Q: "I need to think about it."
"Totally get it. The deadline is July 17 and Silver and Gold are limited. Want me to text you the link so you can check when you have a sec?"
Q: "Just send me the link."
"Cool, here it is: smeaglesfootball.com/sponsors. If you pick one, please put my name at checkout. Thanks!"
Q: "What do I get?"
"Depends on the package. Every package gets you in our digital program and on the sponsors page. Silver and Gold add on-field banners and social media. Gold adds the video board at Saddleback. The link has the full list."
Q: "Where does the money go?"
"100% goes to our program, directly to support the players and the team."
Q: "Is this tax deductible?"
"It's technically a sponsorship, not a donation, so it's usually treated as a marketing or advertising expense for a business. I'd check with your accountant just to be sure."
Q: "I already donated to the team."
"Awesome, thank you! This one's separate, it's run by the booster club for ad visibility. No pressure, just wanted to let you know it existed."
Q: "I can't afford that."
"Totally fine, no pressure. There's also a $350 community tier if it ever fits, but no rush."
Q: "Which package is best?"
"Most local businesses go with Bronze at $1,000 or Silver at $2,500. Silver gets you on the field at every home game, which is the best deal."
Q: "Can I do less than $350?"
"The lowest sponsorship is $350. If you want to support the team but not buy a sponsorship, you can contact our booster club directly. Want me to send you their info?"
Q: "Can I pay by check?"
"Yes. At checkout you pick 'Mail a Check' and they show you the mailing address. Your slot reserves right away."
Q: "Can my business write this off?"
"Most businesses treat it as marketing or advertising. Definitely worth a quick check with your accountant."
Q: "What if I don't have an ad?"
"They handle it. Upload your logo and a tagline and they design the ad for you. Or upload your own if you have one."
Q: "When's the deadline?"
"Sales close July 17. All ad materials are due August 1 so they can print the program. Earlier is better for placement."
Q: "How do I make sure you get credit?"
"There's a dropdown at checkout that says 'credit this sponsorship to a player.' Pick my name from it. That's it!"
Your 7-day action plan
Day 1
Make your list. 20 names. Family, friends, neighbors, local spots. No excuses.
Day 2
Send 10 texts. Pick the right script for each person. Hit copy, paste, send.
Day 3
Send 10 more texts. The other half of your list.
Day 4
Visit 3 local businesses with the printed one-pager.
Day 5
Follow up with anyone who didn't respond to your first text.
Day 6
Ask your parents for 5 more contacts you didn't think of (their friends, their work, their vendors).
Day 7
Thank everyone who sponsored. Send another follow-up to anyone still on the fence.
👨👩 For Parents
Help your player make the list. They don't know your network. Sit with them and brainstorm 30 names.
Let your player send the text. It lands differently when it's from the kid, not the parent.
Forward the sponsorship link to your work contacts and family friends, with your player's name in the message.
Remind sponsors to put your player's name at checkout. It's the most-forgotten step.
Help with thank-you messages. Adults appreciate it more than you think.
Don't sell. Just point. "Hey, my kid is doing this, here's the link."