Nyman finds resourceful ways to land headgear sponsor … on eBay

There's a really nothing a person can’t buy on eBay these days — someone’s grilled cheese sandwich, chewed up gum … Steven Nyman’s head.
    No foolin’.
    As of Wednesday, the U.S. alpiner’s headgear space is being sold to the highest bidder.
    “It’s a stab in the dark. I’m just throwing it out there,” said Nyman, who has never had a headgear sponsor. “Whatever comes out of it is fine. If some sewage company wants to sponsor me, great. Maybe they could give me a uniform to warm up in … a one-piece jumpsuit.”
  

THERE'S REALLY NOTHING a person can’t buy on eBay these days — someone’s grilled cheese sandwich, chewed up gum … Steven Nyman’s head.
    No foolin’.
    As of Wednesday, the U.S. alpiner’s headgear space is being sold to the highest bidder.
    “It’s a stab in the dark. I’m just throwing it out there,” said Nyman, who has never had a headgear sponsor. “Whatever comes out of it is fine. If some sewage company wants to sponsor me, great. Maybe they could give me a uniform to warm up in … a one-piece jumpsuit.”
    The 24-year-old from Provo, Utah, had the best season of his life last year with a fourth-place World Cup downhill finish on Germany’s tricky Garmisch course and established a quick name for himself in the ski world in 2002, when he finished 15th in his first World Cup race.
    Although he’s laughing (often, according to fellow U.S. teammates, lost in the land of  “Planet Provo”) and doesn’t know what to expect from his eBay headgear bidding endeavor, Nyman has set a reserve price (which he didn’t want to disclose, pre-bidding) and is hoping in all seriousness that something pans out.
    “I think it would be quite lucrative for a company to invest in a headgear sponsorship,” he said. “They can obtain a reputable face, work with the athlete with appearances, speeches, ski days … whatever. All the companies have to do is get creative.”
    Nyman is very satisfied with the support — financial and otherwise — he’s received from his ski sponsor, Fischer.
    “A lot of kids who ski don’t have the support they should be getting,” he said. “We’re more than willing to work for it. Some of these kids suffer [financially]. I don’t suffer that much. I get a decent amount through my ski company. But it’s tough with headgear sponsors. I am sure the sponsor can easily get their money’s worth, not to mention the worldwide coverage they can gain.”
    Since last season, Nyman has had some offers for a headgear sponsor, but mainly from smaller companies offering about $5,000 for full rights to his head … space, that is.
    “I’ve tried to be patient in the past and have tried not sell myself short,” he said. “Sure, if people are willing to give you $5,000 and you don’t have to do anything, great. But I think we’re worth more than that.”
    Nyman said the sponsor opportunities for non-World Cup skiers are pretty hopeless, and that even as a top-five World Cup finisher, the offers aren’t exactly rolling in as they would be for top athletes in many other sports.
    “I’ve become extremely frustrated over the past three or four years,” Nyman said. “I’ve accomplished top results. I’ve finished top five on the World Cup. I’ve won NorAms. I’ve won Europa Cups. These professional football or basketball players, they don’t usually have time to give a lot back to their sponsors. We have the whole summer and spring to work around. Companies can use us.”
    Even after his near-podium finish in Garmisch, Nyman awaited the phone calls, the e-mails, the surge of interest in his talent. Little came.
    “I always thought I’d be racing and there’s nothing on my forehead. Nothing. I thought I’d hear from someone. I got a little clothing thing. No headgear sponsor. It’s frustrating.”
    As for what the athlete can do for the sponsor aside from, in Nyman’s case, parade around venues in Europe and potentially onto World Cup podiums with a company’s name on his forehead, he can also be a useful marketing tool for appearances, advertising and inspiration.
    “We’re willing to fly to Timbuktu and do whatever we need to,” he said. “I’ll go sign autographs. I’ll jump in sewage tanks. … Well, I don’t know about that. Seriously, skiing is a full-time job. I am serious about what I do and I have dedicated my life to it. Every day is skiing, skiing, skiing, if it be e-mailing, dryland training, traveling for races, appearances, dinners, whatever. My main goal is to put forth my best effort into what I have.”
    Nyman has sold many things on eBay — music, shoes, old clothes. He said that everything he has ever placed has sold. He said the U.S. Ski Team has warned team members against selling used or unused clothing and equipment they receive from ski team sponsors, and that doing so will result in a fine. As an obvious rule for a professional athlete, Nyman has placed limitations on the bidding — no alcohol, tobacco or gambling companies.
    The already established ski team sponsors also throw a monkey wrench into what Nyman can accept as far as potential offers for his headgear spot.
    “The ski team covers all the bases — Visa, Sprint, Spyder clothing … we got a bunch of new ones — Nature Valley, we have an official sports drink,” he said.
    Sewage companies, he said, are still fair game. In general, nobody from the team has discouraged him from bidding for a headgear sponsor on eBay. He doesn’t know what will come his way, but he’s open to all possibilities. It’s a no-risk personal strategy, after all, and maybe if he’s successful, others will follow.
    “This is my soul, man. I’m selling my soul on eBay,” he said. “I ran it by my own conscience and I feel good about it. Why waste an opportunity like this?”
    To bid on Nyman’s soul … er, headgear space, click here. The link will not be available until 5 p.m. MST on Wednesday (Oct. 25). Nyman has also launched a hip new Web site full of videos and interactive material at www.nymansworld.com.