Mr olympia prejudging

[kelkel]

Dreaded double post.

[kelkel]

It's increasing every year. How much money do you want them to make? They're standing on stage for like 30 minutes lol. Athletes don't get paid for how hard they train and what they use to get them there, they get paid for the end result which is how they perform on the platform.

No. They get paid based on the industry itself. Mainstream sports athletes make money. Sub-cultures don't. Marketability. Unfortunately Pro BB'ing is not mainstream nor marketable enough to pull in big money from advertisers, sponsors and the public in general.

[lovbyts]

No. They get paid based on the industry itself. Mainstream sports athletes make money. Sub-cultures don't. Marketability. Unfortunately Pro BB'ing is not mainstream nor marketable enough to pull in big money from advertisers, sponsors and the public in general.

It's tough to explain to all these newbie kids who want to be Mr. O. They think if they get big it's a free ride and they make lots of money. They have no clue what it cost to eat like these guys do. They spend probably 5x a month more on food than gear so add all that up you had better have one hell of a good paying job that gives you lots of time off for shows/competitions as well as time to workout and sleep.

[GirlyGymRat]

It's tough to explain to all these newbie kids who want to be Mr. O. They think if they get big it's a free ride and they make lots of money. They have no clue what it cost to eat like these guys do. They spend probably 5x a month more on food than gear so add all that up you had better have one hell of a good paying job that gives you lots of time off for shows/competitions as well as time to workout and sleep.

I thought it was a full time job. Didn't realize they have a "day job" too!

[lovbyts]

I thought it was a full time job. Didn't realize they have a "day job" too!

Yeah pretty much, thats the things. Hopefully mommy and daddy have a lot of money and willing to support them.

Oh well, we have all had dreams. I guess we should not be to quick to burst their bubble and tell them the Easter Bunny isnt real.

J/K GirlyGymRat.... He is real..

[Metalject]

I never realized how LOW the payout for the top 3. the real $$$ are endorsement but 90k for second place seems paltry compared to their time, AAS and the food!!!

I was expecting a bigger payout for the effort required.

In regards to endorsements, that depends on your definition of "real $$$."

It's increasing every year. How much money do you want them to make? They're standing on stage for like 30 minutes lol. Athletes don't get paid for how hard they train and what they use to get them there, they get paid for the end result which is how they perform on the platform.

You're right in that the payouts have increased in the past few years but for something that's supposed to be Professional and the cost associated with being a professional bodybuilder it's still very low. Could more prize money be afforded? Yes, massive amounts more. However, as kelkel mentioned in another post this is a subculture, which makes overall demand extremely low, which makes payouts even lower. And if you don't think it's the sub of all subcultures consider Street League Skateboarding, which already pays out more in only 4yrs than the Olympia has been able to pay in 50yrs. And these guys are paid for a single event just as you described Olympia competitors being paid for a single event.

Only a very few bodybuilders make very decent money, and those are simply the ones that have better endorsement deals and several of them that combine for good money. Again, we're talking about very few. Most bodybuilders, the majority that competed at the Olympia, which makes them the top bodybuilders in the world, while they may not live check to check they constantly put together small deals that pay a few thousand bucks here and there and hope it adds up to be enough. A large portion have jobs or small business that have nothing to do with bodybuilding as that's the only way for them to continue.

The current bodybuilders that do very well financially:

1. Phil Heath
2. Kai Greene
3. Jay Cutler (primarily because of investments outside of bodybuilding)
4. Branch Warren (same as Jay Cutler)
5. Dennis Wolf (same as Cutler and Warren and is also able to market himself in ways they cannot.
6. Dexter Jackson but to a lesser extent of the above 5 for various reasons
7. Flex Lewis doesn't bring in the bigger prize money but very marketable and is able to get endorsements normally held for larger guys - has also been a bit smarter than most and a bit of an entrepreneur.

While he can't be put on the list due to recent struggles, Victor Martinez had an opportunity to at least make some decent money but he's got a pretty big hole to climb out of.
Johnnie Jackson, makes a decent living because he is an absolute work horse. Very family oriented man who won't turn down opportunities to make a couple grand that many others might due to pride. Absolutely one of the best most solid men in bodybuilding.

Some of the men on this list have done well - most will be broke when it's over. The cost of living is tremendous and often far exceeds what they're bringing in. A lot of them feel the need to live rock star lives since they're pro bodybuilders but rarely does their bank account handle it well. Very few can see through and past this detriment. Flex has been one to see through it and I hope as he continues he continues to see though it. Otherwise you end up a 40 something year old man, broke with no skills and become just like the rest of society. I've known some bodybuilders like this over the years who really struggle to get past this nasty reality. They were a pro at something very few could ever attempt much less minimally succeed and now they find themselves carrying lumber at Home Depot or loading trucks at Rent-A-Center just hoping and praying some big name magazine or website will throw them a bone. But when there are only a few bones to throw and hundreds of these bodybuilders, the picture isn't pretty for most.

Professional bodybuilding is a dark and harsh world with very few gleaming lights at the end. Being told your whole career that those lights will show at the end doesn't help the person at all as very few are prepared for the cold reality that awaits at the end of the tunnel.

And now we're left with the 100+ other active IFBB pros and low and behold there isn't very much money left, at least none that's willing to be spent.

[davidtheman100]

In regards to endorsements, that depends on your definition of "real $$$."



You're right in that the payouts have increased in the past few years but for something that's supposed to be Professional and the cost associated with being a professional bodybuilder it's still very low. Could more prize money be afforded? Yes,
massive amounts more. However, as kelkel mentioned in another post this is a subculture, which makes overall demand extremely low, which makes payouts even lower. And if you don't think it's the sub of all subcultures consider Street League Skateboarding, which already pays out more in only 4yrs than the Olympia has been able to pay in 50yrs. And these guys are paid for a single event just as you described Olympia competitors being paid for a single event.

Only a very few bodybuilders make very decent money, and those are simply the ones that have better endorsement deals and several of them that combine for good money. Again, we're talking about very few. Most bodybuilders, the majority that competed at the Olympia, which makes them the top bodybuilders in the world, while they may not live check to check they constantly put together small deals that pay a few thousand bucks here and there and hope it adds up to be enough. A large portion have jobs or small business that have nothing to do with bodybuilding as that's the only way for them to continue.

The current bodybuilders that do very well financially:

1. Phil Heath
2. Kai Greene
3. Jay Cutler (primarily because of investments outside of bodybuilding)
4. Branch Warren (same as Jay Cutler)
5. Dennis Wolf (same as Cutler and Warren and is also able to market himself in ways they cannot.
6. Dexter Jackson but to a lesser extent of the above 5 for various reasons
7. Flex Lewis doesn't bring in the bigger prize money but very marketable and is able to get endorsements normally held for larger guys - has also been a bit smarter than most and a bit of an entrepreneur.

While he can't be put on the list due to recent struggles, Victor Martinez had an opportunity to at least make some decent money but he's got a pretty big hole to climb out of.
Johnnie Jackson, makes a decent living because he is an absolute work horse. Very family oriented man who won't turn down opportunities to make a couple grand that many others might due to pride. Absolutely one of the best most solid men in bodybuilding.

Some of the men on this list have done well - most will be broke when it's over. The cost of living is tremendous and often far exceeds what they're bringing in. A lot of them feel the need to live rock star lives since they're pro bodybuilders but rarely does their bank account handle it well. Very few can see through and past this detriment. Flex has been one to see through it and I hope as he continues he continues to see though it. Otherwise you end up a 40 something year old man, broke with no skills and become just like the rest of society. I've known some bodybuilders like this over the years who really struggle to get past this nasty reality. They were a pro at something very few could ever attempt much less minimally succeed and now they find themselves carrying lumber at Home Depot or loading trucks at Rent-A-Center just hoping and praying some big name magazine or website will throw them a bone. But when there are only a few bones to throw and hundreds of these bodybuilders, the picture isn't pretty for most.

Professional bodybuilding is a dark and harsh world with very few gleaming lights at the end. Being told your whole career that those lights will show at the end doesn't help the person at all as very few are prepared for the cold reality that awaits at the end of the tunnel.

And now we're left with the 100+ other active IFBB pros and low and behold there isn't very much money left, at least none that's willing to be spent.

Well look at how many events they're competing in... They train 1-3 Hrs a day and then they perform 1-3 times. While all the other sports are playing tons and tons of games and train the same amount for theirs, or even more. They're getting paid per performance on average more than a professional athlete in one of the 3 major American sports (Football, Baseball, Basketball)


You also can't really feel sorry for them. They KNOW how much it pays, and they KNOW that there's a slim chance that they'll win, yet they keep spending the money on competition prep and ignore it. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting the result to change.

[Metalject]

Well look at how many events they're competing in... They train 1-3 Hrs a day and then they perform 1-3 times. While all the other sports are playing tons and tons of games and train the same amount for theirs, or even more. They're getting paid per performance on average more than a professional athlete in one of the 3 major American sports (Football, Baseball, Basketball)


You also can't really feel sorry for them. They KNOW how much it pays, and they KNOW that there's a slim chance that they'll win, yet they keep spending the money on competition prep and ignore it. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting the result to change.

If how many games/contest/events is part of how we should judge and base pay of a professional then MLB should have a minimum base pay of around $1billion per year. More importantly, at least as far as this thready goes, the argument isn't how much should they be paid, or feeling sorry for them

[Mp859]

There is a comparison photo of Phil's abs comparing the last three years and his stomach really looks to be getting bad. I can't find the photo now but unless he gets it under control I would be really surprised if he wins a 5th title.

[davidtheman100]

If how many games/contest/events is part of how we should judge and base pay of a professional then MLB should have a minimum base pay of around $1billion per year. More importantly, at least as far as this thready goes, the argument isn't how much should they be paid, or feeling sorry for them

Well it is to an extent. Bodybuilding is more of prize money IMO than anything else. It's not a steady payroll. I don't see why you SHOULDN'T have another job aside from bodybuilding unless you're at the top.

[Mp859]

Anyone know if Wolf had an injury to his left calf prior to the Olympia?

[Mp859]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PJTB1QRdKm4

[Metalject]

Well it is to an extent. Bodybuilding is more of prize money IMO than anything else. It's not a steady payroll. I don't see why you SHOULDN'T have another job aside from bodybuilding unless you're at the top.

Your reply ignores the example I gave regarding professional skateboarding - that too is prize money based off of single events, events that are judged. It is the same as bodybuilding. And there are plenty of other event/sports/contest that are not bodybuilding or skateboarding but follow the same format - I just like using skateboarding as an example because it beats the crap out of bodybuilding despite (especially Street League) being so much younger/newer in comparison.

And "you" don't see why you shouldn't have another job? Huh? Because it's bodybuilding it takes less effort and time than other pursuits, is that what you're saying? That's the only thing I can think of that would make a statement like that hold any water, unfortunately, it would also be a ridiculous statement, borderline moronic.

Bottom line, bodybuilding generates the type of prize money it does has nothing to do with anything you've mentioned - it is based on fan demand, which drives the price down as well as a corrupt industry that treats its competitors like garbage. Granted, it is the fault of the competitors for continuing to put up with it, but that's a different argument.

And to be clear, in case you decide to reply, I've made three points in my reply. I'm clarifying as it seems you often reply to specific portions, partial segments of statements to fit what you already want to say.

[davidtheman100]

Your reply ignores the example I gave regarding professional skateboarding - that too is prize money based off of single events, events that are judged. It is the same as bodybuilding. And there are plenty of other event/sports/contest that are not bodybuilding or skateboarding but follow the same format - I just like using skateboarding as an example because it beats the crap out of bodybuilding despite (especially Street League) being so much younger/newer in comparison.

And "you" don't see why you shouldn't have another job? Huh? Because it's bodybuilding it takes less effort and time than other pursuits, is that what you're saying? That's the only thing I can think of that would make a statement like that hold any water, unfortunately, it would also be a ridiculous statement, borderline moronic.

Bottom line, bodybuilding generates the type of prize money it does has nothing to do with anything you've mentioned - it is based on fan demand, which drives the price down as well as a corrupt industry that treats its competitors like garbage. Granted, it is the fault of the competitors for continuing to put up with it, but that's a different argument.

And to be clear, in case you decide to reply, I've made three points in my reply. I'm clarifying as it seems you often reply to specific portions, partial segments of statements to fit what you already want to say.

I feel that they should have a side job because of the points you just made. They don't have a great chance of getting paid alot like you said, so they should have a job to compensate. I also don't think that the fault of the competitors is another argument, it directly correlates to the lifestyle that they end up living. If they don't want to get a side job, they don't want to have other aspirations, then OF CORSE they're gonna end up with no money in the end because they're already stupid to begin with. If they think they have to live a rockstar lifestyle for being in the top 10 in mr olympia and earning like 10,000 dollars, then they're very stupid to begin with.

It's actually all about marketability. Which skateboarding far exceeds bodybuilding in. Do you want examples? How about the fact that they'll NEVER have a bodybuilding video game of people posing and getting fat in off season. Yet, they've had hundreds upon hundreds of skateboarding games. With each skateboarding game, there comes more opportunity to be sponsored, and more marketed. The clothing brands for skaters suit more than just the skaters themselves, where as a non-fit person would be ridiculed for wearing most of the bodybuilding clothing that's being sold.

The "sport" itself will probably never blow up entirely, because of the awfully small demographic. You'll see the prize money continue to increase gradually, but that will partially be because of inflation. What was once 1,500 is now worth over 10,000 etc. etc. The politics involved is almost unbearable as well.. You should be happy it's not as mainstream, because you'd have a bunch of bandwagon sports fans on social media calling it corrupt..

[BG]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PJTB1QRdKm4

Night and day difference. Tons of spill over, they are so worried about coming in flat. Did you watch this video on Kai? If he came if this shape he would have won imo.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8mcn6NuAk

[Mp859]

Night and day difference. Tons of spill over, they are so worried about coming in flat. Did you watch this video on Kai? If he came if this shape he would have won imo.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8mcn6NuAk

He looked amazing in that video. It seems like he peaked a little to early. That has got to be so fruatrating

[frank13]

I never realized how LOW the payout for the top 3. the real $$$ are endorsement but 90k for second place seems paltry compared to their time, AAS and the food!!!

I was expecting a bigger payout for the effort required.

Yeah they're definitely crazy most of these guys have reg jobs and still have to find time to eat and train

[kelkel]

How about the fact that they'll NEVER have a bodybuilding video game of people posing and getting fat in off season.

Dave that's a seriously funny line! Cracked me up.

[BG]

Wolf did also. In the Olympia MD magazine he said he was leaner then ever and ahead in his prep he hoped not to come in flat.

He looked amazing in that video. It seems like he peaked a little to early. That has got to be so fruatrating