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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Red Hook on March 17, 2010, 05:40:16 AM

Title: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Red Hook on March 17, 2010, 05:40:16 AM
I truly don't understand the rational behind incurring the cost of buying specialized food, "supplements", living a rigid lifestyle and travel cost while fully knowing that you won't place in the money at B or C level show like the Australia Pro.  Other than the top guys the other guys are really bad at business.  I feel that people like Frank McGirth and Evan Centopani(sp?) are using or have used the system to their benefit! get paid for not competing.

Top 6

1. Kai Greene
2. Dexter Jackson
3. Roelly Winklaar  == $2K USD
---------------------------------------
4. Mike Kefalianos
5. Melvin Anthony
6. Grigori Atoyan



Honestly, how are these guys surviving being such bad business men?
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: gcb on March 17, 2010, 05:42:08 AM
gay 4 pay - escort work?  :-[
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: The Showstoppa on March 17, 2010, 05:42:48 AM
Livin' the dream.
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: BB on March 17, 2010, 05:55:28 AM
A lot of these guys crave attention. Lots of validation type issues in bodybuilding and to a lesser extent, the other power sports. Also it's hard to put a dollar amount on how much extra traffic/cash a bodybuilder gets from competing in these shows in the from of supplement deals, pt clients, schmoing/gay for pay, website viewers, etc....

With the backend, maybe these guys eek out a decent life, beats bouncing....
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Chick on March 17, 2010, 05:56:26 AM
Ronnie didn't make a dime either in his first few years as a pro...we know how that turned out.

Neither did Toney Freeman, or many other pro's who have gone on to win shows...climbing the ladder has to start with at least having a ladder to climb. No competitions means no experience, no opportunity, and little to no exposure.

The "business of BB" is comprised of many avenues, only ONE of which is actually competing. The pro's you mention all have some means of supporting themselves, the monetary loss they may take in getting ready for a show is an investment as far as they are concerned...

That said...at SOME point, you have to assess whether that investment is going to have a return...

No one in the history of professional bodybuilding ever got into it for the money...
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Vince G, CSN MFT on March 17, 2010, 06:01:56 AM
Ronnie didn't make a dime either in his first few years as a pro...we know how that turned out.

Neither did Toney Freeman, or many other pro's who have gone on to win shows...climbing the ladder has to start with at least having a ladder to climb. No competitions means no experience, no opportunity, and little to no exposure.

The "business of BB" is comprised of many avenues, only ONE of which is actually competing. The pro's you mention all have some means of supporting themselves, the monetary loss they may take in getting ready for a show is an investment as far as they are concerned...

That said...at SOME point, you have to assess whether that investment is going to have a return...

No one in the history of professional bodybuilding ever got into it for the money...

Lets not forget that some supplement company contracts require an athlete to compete a certain amount of times a year and usually their expenses are paid for. 

I don't think the problem is prize money, the problem is with not having any major sponsors.  While we have companies like Muscletech, we don't have Nike or Accenture or Goldman Sach etc.  If bodybuilding attracted the major companies then the sport would grow very rapidly. 
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Chick on March 17, 2010, 06:10:40 AM
Lets not forget that some supplement company contracts require an athlete to compete a certain amount of times a year and usually their expenses are paid for. 

I don't think the problem is prize money, the problem is with not having any major sponsors.  While we have companies like Muscletech, we don't have Nike or Accenture or Goldman Sach etc.  If bodybuilding attracted the major companies then the sport would grow very rapidly. 

I can assure you, the only expenses paid for by a supp company, are supps and possibly travel/ hotel...
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Vince G, CSN MFT on March 17, 2010, 06:16:59 AM
I can assure you, the only expenses paid for by a supp company, are supps and possibly travel/ hotel...

That's pretty sad.  If they are requiring them to compete a certain number of times a year then it would be a serious strain on finances. 
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: The Showstoppa on March 17, 2010, 06:18:04 AM
I can assure you, the only expenses paid for by a supp company, are supps and possibly travel/ hotel...

Bob, do they supply you with booth chicks?
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Chick on March 17, 2010, 06:18:59 AM
That's pretty sad.  If they are requiring them to compete a certain number of times a year then it would be a serious strain on finances. 

Thats why they are hired in the first place...and paid
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: jaejonna on March 17, 2010, 06:27:29 AM
Maybe if the BBs had someone who looks out for their interest instead of a puppet wielded by the strings held by few ..
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Sir Humphrey on March 17, 2010, 06:27:48 AM
I can assure you, the only expenses paid for by a supp company, are supps and possibly travel/ hotel...

What about Future Mr O The Barely Legal Freak Trey Phenom Brewer's 6-figure contract with BSN?  :P
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Chick on March 17, 2010, 06:34:55 AM
Maybe if the BBs had someone who looks out for their interest instead of a puppet wielded by the strings held by few ..

Why do you insist on making retarded comments on matters you know nothing about?

Go back to making Jon Gosselin look-a-like appearances loser...
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: #1 Klaus fan on March 17, 2010, 06:39:25 AM
Ronnie didn't make a dime either in his first few years as a pro...we know how that turned out.

Neither did Toney Freeman, or many other pro's who have gone on to win shows...climbing the ladder has to start with at least having a ladder to climb. No competitions means no experience, no opportunity, and little to no exposure.

The "business of BB" is comprised of many avenues, only ONE of which is actually competing. The pro's you mention all have some means of supporting themselves, the monetary loss they may take in getting ready for a show is an investment as far as they are concerned...

That said...at SOME point, you have to assess whether that investment is going to have a return...

No one in the history of professional bodybuilding ever got into it for the money...

Gotta pay them dues...
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: ShipSekki on March 17, 2010, 06:40:58 AM
 It's the same thing as guys who move to LA and sacrifice everything to try to make it huge as a rapper, rock star or actor or whatever. Just guys chasing a dream with little chance of success, but having a lot of fun doing it. Maybe they don't really have any other major prospects in life so they just decide to go all the way with what they got?

 Not everyone is all about making cash in life, some people are more into following passions and dreams.
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Vince G, CSN MFT on March 17, 2010, 06:46:08 AM
Thats why they are hired in the first place...and paid

In that event, I wouldn't even sign a contract if the supplement company was not going renumerate me for at least travel and lodge expenses.  Contractual agreements shouldn't be a negative asset to a bodybuilder if it means bouncing checks to fulfill an obligation.  

Like I said, the IFBB needs to attract the major sponsors like Nike and etc to give the athletes more money.  Just about every other athlete in the world gets that same privilege
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: affeman on March 17, 2010, 06:50:43 AM
I can assure you, the only expenses paid for by a supp company, are supps and possibly travel/ hotel...

Don't think Muscletech pays Jay in CellTech and Hydroxicut only.
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Mr Nobody on March 17, 2010, 06:52:33 AM
In that event, I wouldn't even sign a contract if the supplement company was not going renumerate me for at least travel and lodge expenses.  Contractual agreements shouldn't be a negative asset to a bodybuilder if it means bouncing checks to fulfill an obligation.  

Like I said, the IFBB needs to attract the major sponsors like Nike and etc to give the athletes more money.  Just about every other athlete in the world gets that same privilege

Bodybuilders are not athletes Vince remember?
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Chick on March 17, 2010, 06:55:40 AM
In that event, I wouldn't even sign a contract if the supplement company was not going renumerate me for at least travel and lodge expenses.  Contractual agreements shouldn't be a negative asset to a bodybuilder if it means bouncing checks to fulfill an obligation.  

Like I said, the IFBB needs to attract the major sponsors like Nike and etc to give the athletes more money.  Just about every other athlete in the world gets that same privilege


OK...so you snub your nose at the $75K contract because they wont pay your travel and lodging....guess you win!

Every athlete's contract is different, I'm just giving you th most common senario...especially if you're not one of the top guys...
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Topskin69 on March 17, 2010, 07:24:10 AM
OK...so you snub your nose at the $75K contract because they wont pay your travel and lodging....guess you win!

Every athlete's contract is different, I'm just giving you th most common senario...especially if you're not one of the top guys...

You should expound on this. What is a 75k contract after taxes, and expenses? I don't remember the exact figure you put out there, but I seem to remember you once being quoted as saying that your average show runs about ten grand for prep. I am assuming that covers gear, food, (probably the biggest expense), and anything else.

Do three shows... spend an easy 25-30 grand, then take out taxes, and time. Seems like your bodybuilder is left with a job that pays about 12-14 dollars an hour, and that is being generous. This entire scenario seems far too absurd, not to mention highly exploitative.

The only way things are going to change for bodybuilding is to get people to understand it. The only way to do that is to package it in a reality format, and try to expose it that way. There is enough drama in this subculture that if you can humanize the existential aspects of Bodybuilding, then you stand a shot of connecting to a future audience.  
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: BayGBM on March 17, 2010, 07:26:43 AM
gay 4 pay - escort work?  :-[

:-X
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Topskin69 on March 17, 2010, 07:28:24 AM

:-X

I should rent out a booth for you at the next bodybuilding expo, so you can get your G4P consulting firm off the ground!  :D
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: BayGBM on March 17, 2010, 08:02:08 AM
I should rent out a booth for you at the next bodybuilding expo, so you can get your G4P consulting firm off the ground!  :D

No booth needed.  Email is more private.  8)
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Vince G, CSN MFT on March 17, 2010, 08:05:49 AM
OK...so you snub your nose at the $75K contract because they wont pay your travel and lodging....guess you win!

Every athlete's contract is different, I'm just giving you th most common senario...especially if you're not one of the top guys...

Depends on how much travel is the supplement company requiring and how many competitions they are made to do.  If overall travel and funds needed for contest prep is to the point where the athlete is making almost minimum wage, then it isn't worth it.  Having a 75k doesn't really mean much when you have to spend most of it to fulfill the obligation.  You would have to really love the sport of bodybuilding to do so.

I don't know Chick, I'm not an IFBB pro so I would have no earthly idea as to how much money would be needed in terms of "supplements", foods, paying a prep coach, and travel.  The only thing I'm hearing about is that a number of bodybuilders are broke....mostly through the fault of their own management of money but yet they are still losing money.

The reason I'm asking these questions is because I'm building a site "muscleceo.com" is helps athletes bring in money and manage it more wisely.  As an IFBB pro and successful business person, what would you suggest that IFBB pros and upcoming bodybuilders do???
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: mwbbuilder on March 17, 2010, 08:13:46 AM
The bodybuilders are not employees. They are general contractors who get a 1099 form. They are responsible for paying their own taxes. They set up the own business entities and have all the taxes advantages of any business. Travel expenses and such are tax deductible. I'm sure that 75k nets down to just about tax free.
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: jaejonna on March 17, 2010, 08:19:11 AM
OK...so you snub your nose at the $75K contract because they wont pay your travel and lodging....guess you win!

Every athlete's contract is different, I'm just giving you th most common senario...especially if you're not one of the top guys...
Bwahahahaaha 75k for a 'professional' athlete hahahahaha on top of that they have to shell out about 15-20k on drugs ...i mean ummmm 'supplements'  ::) ::) ::)  ... I made 75k three years ago at my job ahahahahah..... good point chick , really proving us wrong hahaha tons of $$$$ in BB  ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: RAZA-BLADE on March 17, 2010, 09:05:51 AM
Ronnie didn't make a dime either in his first few years as a pro...we know how that turned out.

Neither did Toney Freeman, or many other pro's who have gone on to win shows...climbing the ladder has to start with at least having a ladder to climb. No competitions means no experience, no opportunity, and little to no exposure.

The "business of BB" is comprised of many avenues, only ONE of which is actually competing. The pro's you mention all have some means of supporting themselves, the monetary loss they may take in getting ready for a show is an investment as far as they are concerned...

That said...at SOME point, you have to assess whether that investment is going to have a return...

No one in the history of professional bodybuilding ever got into it for the money...

Well said.  Its comparable to a hockey players playing in a low level pro league barely making enough to stay alive in hopes of making the big time.  It just so happens the big time in the NHL, is much bigger than the big time of BB.  However Bodybuilder's aren't athletes, but that's a debate for another day  ;D

They all have hopes and dreams of being the next Ronnie, or Jay, its just a shame that some don't realize they don't have the god given genetics to ever come close.
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: HTexan on March 17, 2010, 09:08:10 AM
Livin' the dream.
ah yes, the dream of not working. ;D
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: El Diablo Blanco on March 17, 2010, 09:17:53 AM
Do you make money getting your hair cut, going to the gym, buying supps, juice, clothes etc...? They do it because they love it.  It is a challenge.
Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: Chick on March 17, 2010, 09:41:51 AM
You should expound on this. What is a 75k contract after taxes, and expenses? I don't remember the exact figure you put out there, but I seem to remember you once being quoted as saying that your average show runs about ten grand for prep. I am assuming that covers gear, food, (probably the biggest expense), and anything else.

Do three shows... spend an easy 25-30 grand, then take out taxes, and time. Seems like your bodybuilder is left with a job that pays about 12-14 dollars an hour, and that is being generous. This entire scenario seems far too absurd, not to mention highly exploitative.

The only way things are going to change for bodybuilding is to get people to understand it. The only way to do that is to package it in a reality format, and try to expose it that way. There is enough drama in this subculture that if you can humanize the existential aspects of Bodybuilding, then you stand a shot of connecting to a future audience.  


I used a number of $75K arbitrarily...I know athletes that make much more, and some that make less, and some that have no contract...

You use 3 shows as a mark....no problem, but most guys wouldn't spend 10 K for EACH show, as many of them compete in 3 in a row (ex. PHX, ASC, AUS)

There is also no stipulation that your contract through a Supp company, Media, Pubs, etc is the ONLY means of money you can make...many guys have other (regular) jobs as well...so it's money made in ADDITION to whatever ther means of support they have...

Title: Re: Why compete if it means losing $$$?
Post by: HTexan on March 17, 2010, 01:28:43 PM
Do you make money getting your hair cut, going to the gym, buying supps, juice, clothes etc...? They do it because they love it.  It is a challenge.
daily errands and hygiene are done because working people have too.