No racquet sponsor for Sampras??

[YKD]

Hi everybody,
I couldn't see a "W" on Sampras racquet in Korea and Malaysia
when vs Federer, just seen Babolat double lines on it.
Wilson haven't sponsored Sampras and he bought his ncode
in a tennis shop?
If it is, oh...so snobbish from Wilson!!!

[nickb]

He got the rackets for free from wilson but prob not required to stencil in the contract as he wont be getting paid to endorse them.

[ollinger]

Snobbish?? Sampras plays in tournaments that almost nobody sees these days, so it wouldn't make much sense for Wilson to sponsor him. If Sampras were as bothered by this as you are, I suppose he could paint the racquets black.

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

I honestly don't think Pete has to pay for any equipment that he uses, I don't see what's the big deal. :confused:

[CAM178]

Sampras and others like him (Agassi, Mac, etc.) will never have to pay for the products again. They have a lifetime contract with the sponsors who sponsored them while on tour. They brought in enough revenue for their sponsors that they will never have to pay. Thusly why all of these guys still wear and play with the same equipment they used while on tour. Pete wore Nike and played with Wilson on tour, and still wears that to this day. Coincidence? No. Agassi still wears Nike and plays with Head when he does make an appearance.

[El Diablo]

Lifetime contract?? I think not. And Agassi's contract with Nike was severed, after which he signed one with Adidas.
Pros are more than amply compensated while they are still active. Racquets would continue to be sold without pro endorsements, so I think the pros get more out of these deals than the manufacturers, but it's mutually beneficial to some degree.

[babolat15]

Id like to see Agassi play on the champions tour

[KANZA]

Nike must not be giving Pete very much. He's still wearign that crappy shirt from 8 months ago.

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Lifetime contract?? I think not. And Agassi's contract with Nike was severed, after which he signed one with Adidas.
Pros are more than amply compensated while they are still active. Racquets would continue to be sold without pro endorsements, so I think the pros get more out of these deals than the manufacturers, but it's mutually beneficial to some degree.


Just like Federer has with Wilson, Sharapova with Prince, Agassi has a liftime contract with HEAD.

[CAM178]

And Agassi's contract with Nike was severed, after which he signed one with Adidas.

Whoops. Got me on that one. Forgot that Agassi went to Adidas. I remember being stoked, as I've always been an Adidas guy. Thanks for the correction. :)

[YKD]

oic.
Thank you all ^_^
Is Sampras still paid by Babolat?
BTW, Sampras' black and white shirt
is quite "cute".

[JW10S]

Nothing new. Sampras played for years without making a dime from Wilson even when he was #1. It was only after he started winning more and more Grand Slams did Wilson believe that it would be a good idea to have a 'W' in his racquet.

[PrestigeClassic]

Nothing new. Sampras played for years without making a dime from Wilson even when he was #1. It was only after he started winning more and more Grand Slams did Wilson believe that it would be a good idea to have a 'W' in his racquet.

Sampras had a Wilson stencil before he started showing his colors in majors, but it disappeared for a short period. Wilson would want any previous major champion to use their stencil, but if you remember Sampras' later issues with Nike, you might assume that something similar happened in the early 1990's between Wilson and Sampras.

[PBODY99]

Wilson wanted both Pete and Jim Courier to switch to the then " current " sticks in the Wilson line, both demurred and for a time did not have a Wilson stencil since they were not under contract. There are models that they both endorsed in the 1990's that they never played with nor even used the paint job.
If you have a string deal, you should have the string stencil on your frame, unless your racket deal prohibits it. This is why Nike players don't have patch on their gear.

[JW10S]

Wilson wanted both Pete and Jim Courier to switch to the then " current " sticks in the Wilson line, both demurred and for a time did not have a Wilson stencil since they were not under contract. There are models that they both endorsed in the 1990's that they never played with nor even used the paint job.
If you have a string deal, you should have the string stencil on your frame, unless your racket deal prohibits it. This is why Nike players don't have patch on their gear.True. For a time Sampras, Courier, and Mary Pierce, a top ranked WTA player , were all playing with Pro Staffs without a contract. Wilson was pushing their Hammer and WideBody racquets and felt no need to pay someone using one of 'their old racquets'. Again, when Sampras continued to win Grand Slams Wilson realized having a 'W' in his racquet would be a good idea. It is also true that Nike prohibits any other patches on their clothing for their contract players.

[BreakPoint]

Sampras and others like him (Agassi, Mac, etc.) will never have to pay for the products again. They have a lifetime contract with the sponsors who sponsored them while on tour. They brought in enough revenue for their sponsors that they will never have to pay. Thusly why all of these guys still wear and play with the same equipment they used while on tour. Pete wore Nike and played with Wilson on tour, and still wears that to this day. Coincidence? No. Agassi still wears Nike and plays with Head when he does make an appearance.
The only guys with lifetime racquet contracts are Federer with Wilson and Agassi with Head. Neither Sampras nor McEnroe have lifetime contracts. That's why McEnroe used a Volkl for a few years before Dunlop offered him another contract to come back to Dunlop, but his Dunlop contracts are only for a few years in duration, after which of course, are renewable.

[PrestigeClassic]

Pierce later proved general contract-hate with sponsors. It also wasn't the only contract-less time for Sampras when later in his career he hid Nike logos for a while. Perhaps his agent was the one similarly holding out of a Wilson contract for a while, especially if Wilson had only wanted a longer contract. Frame contracts don't pay very much, and Sampras obviously wanted different terms. There are so many individual factors; these players having marketed a low-margin frame was one.

[Chauvalito]

Nike must not be giving Pete very much. He's still wearign that crappy shirt from 8 months ago.

I think that is because he does not care ;)

[JW10S]

Pierce later proved general contract-hate with sponsors. It also wasn't the only contract-less time for Sampras when later in his career he hid Nike logos for a while. Perhaps his agent was the one similarly holding out of a Wilson contract for a while, especially if Wilson had only wanted a longer contract. Frame contracts don't pay very much, and Sampras obviously wanted different terms. There are so many individual factors; these players having marketed a low-margin frame was one.Sampras's contract dispute with Nike only lasted a few months--he went longer without a racquet deal. Yes, they were using a low margin frame but I would disagree that frame contracts don't pay much. I think if that were true we would not be seeing so many PJ's.

[PrestigeClassic]

Nike must not be giving Pete very much. He's still wearign that crappy shirt from 8 months ago.

Sampras instead is sponsored by the laundromat.

[PrestigeClassic]

Sampras's contract dispute with Nike only lasted a few months--he went longer without a racquet deal. Yes, they were using a low margin frame but I would disagree that frame contracts don't pay much. I think if that were true we would not be seeing so many PJ's.

Sampras was without a Wilson frame stencil from around the beginning of 1993 to around the 1994 US Open. The funny thing I noticed while watching some of the mid-1990's matches was the size of Sampras' stencil for a while; it might have been a wood racket stencil. I wonder, once he regained a Wilson contract, did Sampras want to stick it back to them by using a smaller stencil? It's a very funny possibility.

A contract is not the only thing that a PJ (usually) signifies. Another is free in-house customization, which a lot of Top 200 pros hold very dear even if it's not done to high standards, and further, access to discontinued and/or pro-only molds with various lay-ups. Notice that I did not write "free" frames; many sponsored players at around this ranking level, at least of one particular PJ-happy corporation, actually pay for their frames, albeit at "discounted" rates; even their access to various lay-up options might still be limited. For a higher-ranked pro, on the other hand, the amount of money to be received is a more significant factor, especially with Sampras and Courier, who used frames that even Wilson couldn't supply to them any longer, and who didn't care for "free" customization, nor did they ever bother with paintjobs anyway.

[BreakPoint]

Sampras instead is sponsored by the laundromat.
Sampras seriously needs to get some new tennis shorts. Those grey "Wal-Mart" style shorts he wore at the three Federer exhibitions were butt ugly. I'm surprised he wasn't embarrassed being seen on TV by the whole world in those things.

[PrestigeClassic]

Did you manage to tape the match? I might have some Lendl/Becker/Sampras and other matches to trade. Do you want to see Sampras beat some guy at the 1990 US open; I think his name was Johann, Jean, oh wait, John. :)

[JW10S]

One sponsorship Sampras has had recently was from a laser hair loss treatment center in Los Angeles, having appeared in several print ads. Apparently the treatment is not working...

[timokabo]

On sponsorship Sampras has had recently was from a laser hair loss treatment center in Los Angeles, having appeared in several print ads. Apparently the treatment is not working...

lol good one

[Ronaldo]

Sampras seriously needs to get some new tennis shorts. Those grey "Wal-Mart" style shorts he wore at the three Federer exhibitions were butt ugly. I'm surprised he wasn't embarrassed being seen on TV by the whole world in those things.

Guess he cannot fit those plaid shorts fromthe 90s, eh? How bout them Saskatchewan RoughRiders, eh?

[JamaicanYoute]

Sampras was without a Wilson frame stencil from around the beginning of 1993 to around the 1994 US Open. The funny thing I noticed while watching some of the mid-1990's matches was the size of Sampras' stencil for a while; it might have been a wood racket stencil. I wonder, once he regained a Wilson contract, did Sampras want to stick it back to them by using a smaller stencil?

Yessir. He was without one for a while. I read somewhere (I think it was here on TW Forum) that he was asked to switch to a newer model and didn't want to. After that Wilson didn't sponsor him anymore. Once they saw him racking up Grand Slams they said it's better to just have him at least put the stencil on the racquet.

I too have wondered about him using a smaller stencil. I've actually thought that maybe it's a stencil from a different type of racquet (Squash, R.Ball, etc.) When I was in the juniors I was sponsored by Wilson (not fully, payed price instead of retail) and the stencil that I still use is quite large comparatively speaking. As I use a 90 Sq. Inch, I'd prefer a smaller stencil rather than having this huge "W" taking up most of the racquet.

Guess he cannot fit those plaid shorts fromthe 90s, eh?

According to Jim Courier, Pete is back at his playing weight. 175 lbs I believe...

One sponsorship Sampras has had recently was from a laser hair loss treatment center in Los Angeles, having appeared in several print ads. Apparently the treatment is not working...

Lol. That's just mean man.

Sampras, regardless of sponsorship, will never have to pay for a racquet. His children will never have to pay for a racquet. And I'm pretty sure the same rule applies for TournaGrip, Nike Apparel, String & obviously his vibration dampener....

Did you manage to tape the match? I might have some Lendl/Becker/Sampras and other matches to trade.

I have the first 2 taped and should be getting the 3rd God willing. Really... hmm, what do you have? Have any of the Finals from '99 that he was in? Or any other big matches such as '98 Semi's @ US Open...

[PrestigeClassic]

I have the first 2 taped and should be getting the 3rd God willing. Really... hmm, what do you have? Have any of the Finals from '99 that he was in? Or any other big matches such as '98 Semi's @ US Open...

Unfortunately, I am without any Sampras matches past 1995/6. Send me an e-mail and I'll type up a list for you. I would like to watch these matches.

[JamaicanYoute]

Unfortunately, I am without any Sampras matches past 1995/6. Send me an e-mail and I'll type up a list for you. I would like to watch these matches.

Ummm yeah... I don't know if it's because I don't fully know how to use the board yet, or if it's because you don't have an email visible, but I don't see your email.

jamaicanyoute@hotmail.com

[Harry_Wild]

Sampras I think does not care about endorsements at all! He does not want the headaches and the pressure to perform.

He is his own man; finally and that the way he like it! He's all smiles!

[kimbahpnam]

What Babolat products did Sampras use while being sponsored by them?

[Ronaldo]

What Babolat products did Sampras use while being sponsored by them?

Gripsy, dude

[Gorecki]

I honestly don't think Pete has to pay for any equipment that he uses, I don't see what's the big deal. :confused:
:)
but he should.. he is a millionaire....

[coloskier]

:)
but he should.. he is a millionaire....

So is Fed and Nadal and most of the other top 10 players. Your point????

[Tarboro]

What Babolat products did Sampras use while being sponsored by them?

VS Gut in 17 and 18 gauge.

[s7evin]

Hi everybody,
I couldn't see a "W" on Sampras racquet in Korea and Malaysia
when vs Federer, just seen Babolat double lines on it.
Wilson haven't sponsored Sampras and he bought his ncode
in a tennis shop?
If it is, oh...so snobbish from Wilson!!!

LOL!!!
please tell me you're joking...

[Ronaldo]

LOL!!!
please tell me you're joking...

No sponsors for old men

[Gorecki]

So is Fed and Nadal and most of the other top 10 players. Your point????

i wont even bother.... you just dont have the skills to understand a simple joke with a smiley...

[daddy.dirtsurfer]

No sponsors for old men

You mean no country for old men...that scary killer dude

[dreydey]

sampras doesnt need racquets or gear or sponsors or anything like that, nor did he need any of that when he was a pro he made over 30,000,000 in prize money in his career , not including endorsements, and his wife has acted in many movies and is worth millions, so if wilson doesnt sponsor him, nor nike, nor anyone else, im sure he doesnt care