Do these professional athletes receive any sort of health insurance, retirement benefits, pensions or anything along those lines? What do these IFBB pros get in return for putting their lives on the line for the sake of the federation and for their loving fans? I know SAG offers it's actors, producers and directors health insurance options as well as pension opportunities, what of the IFBB?
The problem with IFBB Pros is that you need to care about others in order for something to work. IFBB yearly dues covers a few things, including basic costs to run the organization (secretary, misc expenses). Given that there are not a lot of IFBB pros, 500 or so, the amount going into it is minimal. Office, secretary, various expenses, insurance, and there isn't a lot there. I think they yearly dues is $200. And you are talking about pension and benefits? They are not employed by the IFBB. They are joining an organization in order to compete in it.
Now, for health insurance, when Bob Chick did organize it, and he seriously tried, he DID bring a group plan to various bodybuilders that would of let them have basic insurance. But honestly, not a lot of them cared. In fact, very few did. IFBB Pros is a small group (500, etc). Comparing it to SAG, which has tens of thousands of members isnt fair.
A lot can be done, but you need people to actually care about others. Given the fact that many pro bodybuilders get contracts for themselves via supplement companies, magazine sponsorships, and more, it isn't easy.
BUT, 70% of SAG members barely make any money at all, very minimal. It is the same for all.
Like it or not, Bob has made some changes in for the athletes. Whether or not many bodybuilders cared was a different story.
What did you want changed?
