South I don't come on here enough to keep up with all the stuff you are all talking about, but the tournament is going to cost the Fight about over $15,000. So you are clear, just a few things we need to pay for (approximates) and why we need to charge and also find sponsors:
Shuttle service to and from field to hotel for players (day) - $1500
Field Rental $2000
Police on site for day (required) $1500
Referees - $1000
Beer truck rental and beer $2500
Caterer/Food on site $1000
Insurance for event $350
After party costs food/drink $2500
T shirts/merchandise -$1500 approximate
Print/ Tv Advertising - $3500 (hoping to advertise at USA7s) which would make this considerably more
HD Video and Editing of event - $1000
If we break even we will be ecstatic but unless a big sponsor comes through we know we will lose money. But the exposure is worth that to us both domestically and internationally. That way more teams from everywhere will want to come and it can grow bigger, and then we can possibly get a TV sponsor involved and make this like the USA 7's. You have to start somewhere to make it big.
We want to play the best competition possible and you guys should too. So if $350 is too much for you, I guess we won't see you guys. Can you afford the $10 admission and then beer costs for the day? Then you should be able to find 10-12 guys to put their hand in their pocket to play. When is the next time the Australian Aboriginals will be in your back yard?
And yes the USARL charge all USARL teams a membership fee to play, plus referee fees up front for the year for NAMOA, insurance costs and a surety bond. All told about $2500 per year to participate in the league per team.
There was a fee last year for when Rhode Island hosted. I know nothing about the event in Vegas, that was AMNRL, I think.
I don't remember who asked, but:
It costs each Fight player $350 dues to play for us each season. We don't like charging it and wish we could have everything paid for but we try our best to have sponsors take care of it all, but we never get there. Each player can find a player sponsorship for $350 and never be out of pocket. Many do, many don't. If they can find one or don't try, then they are out of pocket.
$1500 for a shuttle? Wow, that seems steep.
Beer truck rental and beer $2500
Caterer/Food on site $1000
Insurance for event $350
After party costs food/drink $2500
T shirts/merchandise -$1500 approximate
Those would probably yield a profit in the end, but would it be enough to cover other costs? Small fee is definitely a must, there is a fee for every tournament I've been too. There is also a big risk in any amature team fronting that kind of money.
Is there a fee for War at the Shore?
Out of curiosity, did teams like West Chester University, Utah and Orange County Outlaws pay anything the first year(if there was even a fee)? I hope that one day soon this tournament will be very profitable for the Fight.
Also $350 is an awful lot to pay to play for the Fight, do the Aussies pay that as well? Do you have any trouble with college students paying that? (not taking a jab, just trying to get an idea of the best ways to draw local college talent as well as import talent, and you guys have been successful doing both)
Man all that money and hard work, and the Sharks would still beat the Fight by 12+. (OK now I'm taking a Jab)lol