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...
