FOUNDING PATRONS
The gear is part of every story worth keeping
Founding Patrons are the brands that stand behind The Sporting Archive from the start. Nine categories, one brand in each, named permanently as part of how the Archive began.
FOUNDING SEATS CLOSE DECEMBER 31, 2026
GRANDPA PETE’S MODEL 12s · HIS .22 AND THE 12 GAUGE
“A Red Ryder BB gun, then my grandpa’s Model 12 .22 for squirrels and rabbits. My dad’s single-shot 20 gauge before a pheasant opener, then Grandpa’s Model 12 12 gauge when I was a teenager. People remember the gun, the rod, the dog, the boat. The gear isn’t an ad in these stories. It’s one of the characters.”
KELLY WARBIS · CO-FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
TANNER’S FIRST TIME AT SEA · 2014
WHIY IT MATTERS TO A BRAND
Where serious sportsmen keep their stories
Our clients are serious sportsmen marking the hunts and trips that matter most to them. Founding Patrons are present in that world from the first day: in the stories we preserve, on our podcast, at the SCI Convention, and with the families who hand these pieces down.
WHO YOU’LL REACH
Big game hunters
SCI members and hunters who travel for the hunt of a lifetime
Serious anglers
Offshore, long-range, and destination fishermen, and fly anglers
Their families
The children and grandchildren these pieces are handed down to
Our founders
Fifty founding members, launching January 2027
NINE CATEGORIES
One brand in each
Rifles
Ammunition
Shotguns
Optics
Angling
Apparel
Private Wealth & Trust
Spirits
Beer
When a category’s seat is taken, it’s closed for the founding term
Every brand that holds a seat during the founding term is named permanently as a Founding Patron on our Founders’ Wall and at TheSportingArchive.com, whether or not it renews. Seats will be offered again in the future. The founding title won’t be.
FOUNDING PATRON, FOR GOOD
Named at the beginning, permanently
OUR STANDARD
Heirlooms, not billboards
Your name sits beside heirlooms, where it earns respect instead of attention. That’s why we never print Patron names on clients’ covers, certificates or partner displays. Your recognition lives on the Archive, the podcast and the Founders’ Wall.
THREE LEVELS
Three ways to stand behind the Archive
ONE SEAT ONLY
Presenting Patron
The lead voice of the Archive and the podcast.
TWO SEATS ONLY
Principal Patron
A major presence across the Archive, podcast and events.
OPEN IN EVERY CATEGORY
Heritage Patron
Includes a podcast guest seat for your founder or CEO and a framed showroom piece.
EVERY FOUNDING PATRON RECEIVES
Named permanently on our Founders’ Wall and website
Recognition on The Sporting Archive podcast
Presence at our launch and convention events
A framed showroom piece for your office or store
First right to renew your category
Details and terms for each level are in the Patron Brief.
REQUEST THE PATRON BRIEF
Let’s talk about your category
Tell us about your brand, and we’ll send the Founding Patron Brief
with full details on each level.
“I’ve hunted and fished my whole life, and I’ve bought my gear from many names on this list. Each category has one seat, and I’d like to talk with you personally about yours.”
KELLY WARBIS · CO-FOUNDER & PUBLISHER · SCI MEMBER
Founding seats close December 31, 2026. Founding Patrons will be named at our public launch in January 2027.
Seats at each level are confirmed in the order signed agreements and first payments are received.
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