In modern-day boxing, sponsorships are just as integral to the game as the fighters. Practically every fight will have some kind of sponsor gently pushing the event forward, and that goes without mentioning individual partnerships they have with certain boxers. But who are these sponsors, and how do they affect the boxing industry? Well, casino sponsorships are one of the most common types of sponsorship in the industry, and the impact they have on fights is profound.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the influence of casino sponsorships in the industry, diving into how they make the sport more popular, fund events and promotions, and provide vital infrastructure for fighters and fighting circuits. Let’s get right into it.
Investment and growth
One of the primary ways in which casino sponsorships affect the boxing industry is by providing investment and facilitating growth. It isn’t cheap sponsoring a boxing match or event – this is especially the case with high-profile fights, with some brands being willing to pay millions just to have their brand featured in the promotion in one way or another.
Take the Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder fight – Betfred was the main sponsor of the fight, but Manscaped also had its name in the game. While the official amount these brands paid to be sponsors of this fight remains undisclosed, it’s not a stretch to estimate that they each paid over a million just to have a brief mention of their brands displayed in the arena.
Some of this money goes to the fighters themselves, but the bulk of it goes to the boxing circuit in question. In fact, sponsors are often one of the primary avenues of income for boxing circuits, sometimes even matching PPV incomes for smaller fights.
This income can then be used for business expenses as well as reinvestment in infrastructure or marketing, providing vital growth for an industry that struggles to bring in new fans. Without this capital, boxing would be handicapped, unable to even recoup expenses for matches and events, in some cases.
Of course, casinos also benefit greatly from this arrangement. Even a fleeting mention in a high-profile fight can bring in thousands of new players, making their initial investment more than worth it in the long run.
But it’s not just financial aid that sponsors provide – sometimes, casino sponsorships support the industry directly through buying equipment, building new training facilities or supporting fighters.
Whichever way you look at it, casino sponsors as well as sponsors in general play a huge role in the maintenance and growth of the boxing industry. Without sponsors, the scene would be in turmoil.
Bringing more eyes to the sport
Another way in which casino sponsorships impact the boxing industry is by bringing more eyes to the sport. Not only do casino sponsorships support boxing through financial investments that can then be used for marketing and promotion, but they often do everything they can to bring as many eyes to events as possible.
This can be done through showing ads on their websites, offering bonuses to those who buy a ticket to an upcoming event (this is particularly popular at minimum deposit casinos featured on AskGamblers), or even directly funding advertisement and marketing campaigns.
This is hugely beneficial to the boxing industry. It’s no secret that boxing has had a dwindling audience for the past few decades (although, this is no longer the case, thanks to a handful of YouTubers who have now made boxing popular among younger audiences), so drawing in larger crowds is often the key for success for boxing circuits.
The results of these efforts are mixed, and finding out just how much of an effect a sponsor has had on viewership rates is almost impossible. However, it is fair to say that fights with good sponsors that provide heavy financial investment and outside help do tend to perform better than those that don’t – this is also the case with low-profile bouts.
Regardless of effectiveness, casino sponsors often do everything in their power to promote fights and events they are affiliated with, and there’s no doubt this is welcomed by everyone who wants boxing to flourish.
Boosting the popularity of stars
Last but not least, casino sponsorships do wonders for boosting the popularity of individual stars. While casinos do sponsor specific events or bouts, it’s also not uncommon for them to sponsor individual boxers. Some of the world’s greatest boxers have been affiliated with casinos, and while their success is by no means directly because of these sponsorships, they certainly do help.
Sponsors pull out all the stops to ensure a fighter has everything they need to be at the top of their game. In practice, this could mean purchasing equipment, paying for training, connecting boxers with coaches, doctors, physicians or clubs, and even paying for holidays so fighters can relax and unwind.
These factors add up, and there are many fighters out there who would willingly acknowledge that they had a ton of help from sponsors.
Another point worth mentioning is that sponsorships can make boxers seem more legit. For example, if a relatively unknown fighter wants to participate in a big event, having a sponsor can be great for adding an aura of professionalism and prestige. That goes without mentioning that the sponsor may also have connections involved with said event, who may be able to help the boxer get a spot.
It means something if a boxer has a sponsor. This is especially the case at the lower levels, where sponsorships are rarer. Having a sponsor from a reputable casino (or any casino, at the lower levels) could suggest that the boxer is extremely promising and has huge potential, and it could give them the leg-up they need to get their career started.
This isn’t as significant in the highest levels of boxing, but the financial and physical support sponsors bring also indirectly boosts the popularity of certain boxers by helping them optimize performance.
Casino sponsorships might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to why the top boxers are so successful, but it would be negligent not to highlight their role. Behind the scenes, the sponsors give the top names all the amenities they need to stay at the top of their game – and sell more fights.
We hope we have been able to give you a better insight into the impact of casino sponsorships in the boxing industry. While we may only see the banners, branded equipment and sales pitches from fighters, the bulk of the work of sponsors is done behind the curtains. From investing in vital infrastructure to boosting the popularity of certain fighters, casino sponsors have a much bigger effect on the boxing industry than you may think.
And things are only just getting started. The iGaming industry is much bigger than it ever has been, meaning more companies have the revenue and time to dedicate to sponsorships and affiliations. As time moves on, we are likely to see more casino sponsors enter the fray and bring even more growth to the boxing industry.
