The source of pain related to the Rolex/US Sailing sponsorship in the past is related to the fact that the club/event/sailors see a tiny bit (if any) of the Rolex sponsorship money but have found themselves very limited in regards to what sponsorship they can source directly for the event within US Sailing's approval to avoid conflict. Additional requirements have been in place with regards to any event related apparel or goodies so that it falls in line with what the impression that Rolex wants to see - which is fine...but the amount of hoops the people managing the event have to jump through (or avoid) has been much greater than the amount of money actually received. Even the boat provider has been limited in their ability to use the event as self-promotion. It's been a source of frustration when the club finds a sponsor and US Sailing says they can't allow them to be associated with the event because of a conflict (which goes beyond Rolex). There has also been liability related to returning Rolex marks, banners, and freight charges that also add a burden on the club.
I've missed a couple of calls lately but I did hear something earlier that these sponsorship arrangements were changing...that sounds promising.
