Origin and history of sponsor

1650s, in a Christian context, "a godparent, one who binds himself or herself at a child's baptism to guarantee a religious education," from Late Latin sponsor "sponsor in baptism," in classical Latin "a surety, guarantee, bondsman," from sponsus, past participle of spondere "give assurance, promise solemnly," from Proto-Italic *spondejo- "to pledge," literally "to libate many times," from PIE *spondeio- "to libate" (source also of Hittite ishpanti- "to bring a fluid sacrifice, pour;" Greek spendein "make a drink offering," spondē "libation, offering of wine;" compare spondee).

The general sense of "one who binds himself to answer for another and be responsible for his conduct" is by 1670s. The sense of "person who pays toward the cost of a radio (or, after 1947, television) broadcast" is recorded by 1931. Related: Sponsorial. From the same Latin verb come spouse, correspond, respond, despond.

1882, "to favor or support," from sponsor (n.). The commercial broadcasting sense is from 1931. The legislative sense of "promote or support" a bill, etc., is by 1961. In reference to pledges of money to persons in fund-raising activities, by 1967. Related: Sponsored; sponsoring.