Feedback from an imaginary America's Cup Sponsor

After watching the racing in San Francisco Bay I've been wondering how one could go about asking sponsors to support a campaign for the "world's oldest sporting trophy". How might that conversation go?

JP

As you can see from Race 8 of the current series, it's exciting stuff, with Team NZ almost capsizing!

SPONSOR

Wow, yes, this is interesting stuff! But if they had capsized how would they have got the boat the right way up?

JP

You can't. In past capsizes the boat has been a total right off, smashed to smitherenes. In fact maybe you could give us a bit more money so we'd have a spare?

SPONSOR

You want more? Already?

JP

Actually we'd need three boats. Team NZ only have two and the second isn't fully read to go. Oracle had three: one was a complete write-off during training but their budget allows for the second to be on hot standby.

SPONSOR

And these AC72s are not cheap. What happens if we're up against a sponsor with deeper pockets than us?

JP

They could take risks we couldn't, so it would be tough.

SPONSOR

Is it dangerous? Is there the potential for an accident with negative publicity?

JP

Err... well, yes. It was such a shame as Bart was a great sailor and the nicest bloke ever.....

SPONSOR

And are the other sponsors happy with their investment? What about Louis Vuitton? They spent millions didn't they?

JP

Er... I hear they want a $3 million refund because so few teams entered. 

SPONSOR

Maybe because these boats costs tens of millions of dollars each and a single mistake can lead to a capsize, crew deaths and the end of a campaign?

JP

...er... maybe.

SPONSOR (putting away the big fat cheque book)

The door's behind you. On you way out could you tell those guys from Extreme 40 Sailing that they can come up now?