[jnorth]

Makes sense to me. Sponsorship has brought many "events" to be more mainstream. It's not just Nascar either. Drag racing does it even at the weekend hobbyist level. When you win a weekend event and have an Edelbrock sticker on your car they pay you a couple bucks. Why? Because everyone in the stands or the guys that have already lost want to know what you are doing that is making you win. They see the sticker on the side of car and go buy that product. Every time I see a list of All-Japan winners the breeder is usually listed. I bet that helps sales alot. We all know it takes more then a "good" filtration system or a "good" diet to win in a koi show but whats wrong with letting everyone know that I use Aquabead filters, JPD food, and only show Momotaro breed koi? If I win alot then people will use those brands, if I am a big loser then the companies I use might work harder to make a better product (or beg me to quit). Aside from that what about advertising on the side of the big blue tanks? Might be a nice way to help cover the cost of the show at any rate. Or getting some sponsors to kick in some free product for the winners? If you got the GC you get a filter and some food free or something. They might do this at some shows (I don't really know). I hope I don't sound greedy as the joy of all my efforts paying off with a win is good enough for me but hey why not?