What is Sports Crowdfunding, and How Is It Changing the Game?

The resources and equipment to ensure success for talented sportspeople exists – it just needs to be found. But this is increasingly difficult to achieve via the traditional channels of private funding and governmental support. And as financial disparities are exacerbated worldwide, athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds face an uphill struggle to maintain their career in this competitive field.

As a result, aspiring athletes are increasingly turning to a new tool for accruing financial resources – crowdfunding. Crowdfunding for sports is much like sports itself – it can be competitive, but ultimately thrives on teamwork, and works best under clear-cut conditions while working towards a set goal.  And time and time again it has proven to be a great investment for athletes who may have had to give up on their dreams under different circumstances.  

What is Sports Crowdfunding?

Sporting stars have provided some of humanity’s most memorable and impressive feats over the past decades. But it isn’t always apparent just how much sacrifice, dedication and – ultimately – funding is required to get to these singular moments of greatness. Nor is it obvious how unforgiving the global sporting ecosystem is to natural talents who are unable to maintain this dedication for reasons beyond their control.

Even the most talented and driven individuals are doomed to fall by the wayside without proper funding and access to proper resources. Costs for things like sports equipment, coaching, international travel, nourishing food and adequate accommodation quickly add up, even for professional athletes with institutional backing.

Money is a constant issue for all but the most fortunate of aspiring athletes, who often give up their calling to pursue more lucrative careers elsewhere. And until recently, the only major sources of funding for up-and-coming athletes were private philanthropy or government grants, both of which have been curbed in recent years.

This is where crowdfunding comes in. Thanks to advances on the world wide web, communal fundraisers can be organized for either individuals, or sports organization that nurtures and represents promising athletes. Supporters who feel strongly about the progress of these athletes can donate as much or as little as they wish, helping to shape their future in a tangible way, and even earning rewards from the people they’re funding.

Sports crowdfunding can be done by uploading the life story of an athlete who needs funding on Talent Backer or Pledge Sports or similar. The report can talk about their immense potential, which is in dire need of funding. The campaigner can request the donors to contribute a small amount in favor of the athlete or organization to take their journey forward.

How Crowdfunding is changing the sporting landscape

Professional sports is an unforgiving vocation for all but the most dedicated of athletes, and that’s before you take into account the uneven state of sports funding and infrastructure around the world. Government funding is available but invariably subject to outside forces, while proper training, resources and facilities are usually unavailable to rural dwellers through traditional means. In many cases athletes need to fall back on other sources of income to survive, which means that independently-wealthy athletes often get an unfair edge on their competitors.

Sports crowdfunding seeks to address this imbalance and enable the dreams of all aspiring athletes, no matter their background is. By connecting sportspeople directly with donors who care about their progress on a personal level, without significant start-up costs, crowdfunding platforms allow all athletes the chance to access professional-level sporting equipment and facilities, and hone their craft as they compete for the grandest prizes, free of financial anxiety.

Sports crowdfunding also levels the playing field between athletes from rural and urban backgrounds, by providing the former with unprecedented access to sports gear, dietary support and elite coaching which would otherwise be out of their reach. In an ideal world in which crowdfunding fully enables athletes’ access to the training and equipment they need, talent and hard work is all that matters. Competitors from the margins of society can look forward to a chance to shine and make a difference to their lives and the lives of others, without having to worry so much about how they can make ends meet. The benefits will no doubt be felt not just at an individual level, but throughout the sporting ecosystem, as competition increases and standards rise around the world.

If conducted properly, crowdfunding may be the silver bullet required to make world-class champions out of marginalised athletes who previously would have had to give up on their dreams due to financial hardship. All thanks to the contributions of sports lovers and enthusiasts around the world, and the crowdfunding platforms who bring them together.  Are you ready to change an athlete’s life and make their dreams come true? Donate or start a campaign of your own today!