ORIGINAL: fishguts
Pretty common, actually. Instead of giving cash, sponsors give merchandise that the TV hosts/"pros" then can sell after they've been used on the show. Professional bass anglers buy their boats at asubstantial discount and are required to get new ones each model year. Which means they are responsible for selling their current model.
Sorry to bring this back from the dead but I missed the last couple of post.
Again, I just have to ask....What recent, successful hunting show is there where they are not making money?? Please be specific. There aren't any, there just aren't. If they are successful, they are making money. That's all there is to it.