Endemic vs. Non-endemic Sponsors

There's a difference between an endemic and a non-endemic sponsor.  You should know what it is, and you should use it as a means to evaluate a marketing agent. 

In terms of indusrty lingo, endemic refers to all of the sponsors native to, or somehow connected to your particular sport.  If you're a triathlete, that would include sponsorship opportunities associated with your running shoes, bike, wetsuit, etc.  - things you actually use as part of your participation in the sport. Contrast those things to the whole world of products and services that really have nothing to do with triathlon...those are your nonendemics.

Though virtually no sponsorship is ever 'easy' to get, endemic sponsorship deals are easier to solidify than those outside of the industry/sport.  That said, those sponsorships are most often smaller than their non-endemic counterparts (as often the companies themselves are smaller) though not always.  When you're evaluating a potential sports marketing agent you should be sure to get their take on endemic vs. non-endemic sponsorships, and how they plan to pursue both.  If you're a decorated athlete within your respective sport, chances are you've already got a good feel for the companies within the industry that are activating with sponsorships.  Those companies should be pursued, but it's my strong opinion that your marketing agent should be spending most of his/her time pursuing nonendemic sponsorships, as those are harder to come by and simply not going to happen unless someone is proactively chasing after them.