Athlete Appearances

Athletes are highly-focused, motivated individuals who push themselves beyond their limits for a chance to achieve greatness. It is this determination and intensity that makes them role models. Their stories are unique, each narrative filled with extraordinary triumphs and challenges. From winning championship games to overcoming adversity and extreme odds in order to achieve their dreams, athletes are an inspiration to all.

For this reason, athletic appearances are in high demand with businesses and organizations investing in these one-of-a-kind events to generate buzz, drive traffic, entertain clients and create goodwill.

But how do you book an athlete appearance? And what should you look for when booking an athlete for your event? At Sports Speakers 360, we have the answers to these questions.

Sports Speakers 360 makes the process of hiring athletes very easy. We use our expertise to quote accurate fees, check availability and compile a customized list of athletes appropriate for your event and budget.

What to look for when booking an athletic appearance

When booking athlete meet and greets, presentations and appearances, it’s important to select the right player for your unique needs. Below are a few factors we recommend considering before confirming an athletic appearance:

1. The Player’s Background
If you want to attract the largest audience possible, you’ll need to think about the athlete’s experience and background and how they might relate to your audience. For instance, if you are hosting a women’s networking event, you may want to consider a highly successful female athlete like Abby Wambach or Kerri Walsh Jennings.

Alternatively, if you are a children’s charity who is hosting an event to inspire youth, you may want to consider an athlete who has a history of supporting youth-focused organizations like Emmitt Smith or Mariano Rivera. The more aligned a player’s background and interests are with your vision and your audience demographics, the more likely your event is to be a success.

2. The Player’s Fee
Athlete appearance fees can range from $2,500 all the way up to over $100,000. Thus, it’s critical that those looking to book a player for an appearance carefully consider their budget. Generally speaking, former athletes typically have lower fees than current athletes and Hall of Fame inductees are likely to charge more than those who have not yet received the honor. The experts at Sports Speakers 360 will negotiate on your behalf the best fee possible for athletic appearances and signings.

Just like with any purchase or service, you will have to balance the caliber of athlete you’d like to hire for your event with your budget. However, it’s important to remember that athletes may consider discounting their fee for charitable organizations that are aligned with their philanthropic interests and may also consider a lesser fee if the event is local and travel is not required.

3. The Player’s Presentation Style
Some athletes are willing to sign autographs while others prefer to simply pose for photos. If you’re organizing an athlete appearance for a grand opening, attendees will likely want an autograph. However, if you’re looking to hire athletes for parties, the environment will likely be more casual and fun and having the athlete pose for photos with guests might be more appropriate. Sports Speakers 360 will work to understand your objectives and recommend an athlete that best fits your needs.