Skating abilities does play a big role in sponsorship. On the other hand , your image, marketability , and how well you click with the team are just as important. Haven't you ever heard of someone being kicked off a team because they don't click or vibe with the rest of the team or brand image? Your abilities only do so much, plus if your a big asshole, your skills don't matter at all. Remember bams huge push in the early 2000's? He was a great skater, not incredible, not the best, but fun to watch . He is the definition of marketing and making an image. Hope my rambling helped
Cheers for the rambling, I appreciate that! It’s been a couple months now and nothing has really happened except friends taking jabs at me for being ‘sponsored’ when I am sucking at skating some days.
I would say I get along with the other guys on the team fine. I mean, I get along with most people pretty well (except some real assholes who I really don’t like being around, but I’m not confrontational or anything, just try to mind my own business...)
And yeah I’ve definitely heard of and read about people getting kicked off of teams for not getting along with the rest of the team. I don’t think that’ll be the problem, but I will say that while I’m okay with everyone, they’re not exactly people I would normally hang out with and I definitely still vibe with my original crew/friends a lot better and more comfortably.
In other words I’m not sure how this will play out in the long run. I can’t imagine myself riding for them forever and when I think 5 years into the future I imagine being happier starting something with all my good friends who I can really vibe with. I have ideas in my head and that I’m working towards to make that happen.
But till then since I’m just working and skating in my free time right now I’m just gonna do what I can do for this current company since they’re backing me, and appreciate what I do get. Not sure if this makes me an asshole...