TWO DISTINCT ROLES

Sponsor vs team leader at Real: what is the difference?

Updated September 28, 2026

Short answer

A sponsor is the agent you credit with influencing your decision to join Real. Any revenue share they receive comes from Real's 15% company split. A team leader runs a team under a separate agreement and is paid through the team split. One person can hold both roles, or two people can.

Experienced agent mentoring a newer agent at a desk

Compare the two roles

Question	Sponsor	Team leader
How chosen	Named by you on the application	Selected when you join a team
Paid by whom	Real, from its 15% company split	You, through the team split
Can it change?	Generally no after the ICA is signed	Yes, under team agreement terms
Authority	No management authority	Runs the team relationship
What you owe	Nothing	The agreed team split and obligations

One person or two

Sponsor

Team leader

May be
the same

Choose each relationship on its own merits. Sponsorship does not require joining a team, and team membership does not require naming the leader as sponsor.

Rules that protect your choice

No incentive for sponsor credit

Nothing of value may be offered in exchange for naming someone as sponsor.

Team value belongs to the team

Team services and benefits go to all team members under the team agreement, regardless of sponsor choice.

Choose before you sign

Your sponsor is recorded in the ICA and is generally permanent once you sign. Check the sponsor field on your application before you sign.

How to choose a sponsor How sponsor tiers work

FAQ

Sponsor and team leader questions

Yes. Sponsorship and team membership are separate relationships.

No. Real pays revenue share from its own company split.

No. The sponsor is permanent after the independent contractor agreement is signed, with a limited exception if the sponsor leaves Real.

No. Team support and benefits must not depend on sponsor choice.

No. Nothing of value may be offered in exchange for being named sponsor.

Sources

Figures checked against Real’s support center on September 28, 2026. Real can change its fees and policies at any time.

Before you apply

Choose the sponsor who influenced you.

Your Real sponsor is named on your application and is separate from a team leader. A sponsor does not change your commission split. Review your choice before signing.

How sponsor choice works