What options does ordinary joe new-user have?

1. Remove the sponsored link from the footer
2. Contact the sponsored link owner
3. Quote him/her a price for a text ad link on your domain
4. Tell him/her you will replace it if he is willing to pay your ad rate
5. If he says no, use said theme minus the sponsored link

Naive, isn’t it? It is why the sponsors pay the money - for the links.

And Matt know that. Google vs. World.