John Romano was earning 150k a year at MD

[pj braun]

Palumbo always said Romano was notoriously lazy, had to be heavily edited, and never made his deadlines.

[tu_holmes]

Palumbo always said Romano was notoriously lazy, had to be heavily edited, and never made his deadlines.

How long was he there though?

Romano was with Blechman for fucking years.

Who keeps a shit employee?

[BB]

How long was he there though?

Romano was with Blechman for fucking years.

Who keeps a shit employee?

Since the early 90's atleast, I remember his name on the masthead back when it was "All Natural....".

[tu_holmes]

Since the early 90's atleast, I remember his name on the masthead back when it was "All Natural....".

You see my point then.

[Purge_WTF]

Romano worked hard. In addition to the articles he penned directly, there were all those other things he wrote under his "Dirt Diggler" pseudonym.

[Jayel]

What's the goss on Palumbo and Romano? Always wondered what actually happened (not just the IFBB railroading Dave to get rid of him) but how the seemingly unbreakable partnership, ended...?

Someone tell Romano to start posting!

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Palumbo always said Romano was notoriously lazy, had to be heavily edited, and never made his deadlines.

Romano used to be a great writer for MD in the 90's but he really went downhill afterwards.  A lot of his articles were carbon copies of stuff he had already written. 

All he cares about is himself

[Thespritz0]

Anyone know if he's doing any radio show or writing at all, I know he has his gym in Mexico but can't believe he wouldn't keep in touch...

[tu_holmes]

Anyone know if he's doing any radio show or writing at all, I know he has his gym in Mexico but can't believe he wouldn't keep in touch...

Don't know.

I saw him at the O. No credentials. Just a regular pass.

[Thespritz0]

Don't know.

I saw him at the O. No credentials. Just a regular pass.

^^
Did you talk to him at all??

[Ronnie Rep]

Romano used to be a great writer for MD in the 90's but he really went downhill afterwards.  A lot of his articles were carbon copies of stuff he had already written. 

All he cares about is himself

Agreed, he was the reason I subscribed to MD back then along with Valentino. Then it all became a bunch of regurgitated crap.

[tu_holmes]

^^
Did you talk to him at all??

I didn't.

He literally ran by me and my girl while we were talking to the Qwest bar owner (she knows him, I do not)

We both looked at each other and said "was that Romano?"

It was.

We noted he had no credentials and only a wrist band like us normal folk and we didn't want to follow him.

I never liked the guy, so I have no reason to stop and talk to him.

[gmflex]

Would feel like a billionaire with that amount of money.
What remains after taxes of said huge income?

If you have no tax deductions ..
I would say about $110,000 or so

[tu_holmes]

If you have no tax deductions ..
I would say about $110,000 or so

No. In that bracket you get to keep about 55-60 percent with no deductions. If you're honest.

Of course he has no state taxes in Florida. Possibly he would get to keep that I suppose depending on what taxes are taken or not.

Most places in that bracket get to keep about 75k with no deductions.

[Mawse]

No. In that bracket you get to keep about 55-60 percent with no deductions. If you're honest.

Of course he has no state taxes in Florida. Possibly he would get to keep that I suppose depending on what taxes are taken or not.

Most places in that bracket get to keep about 75k with no deductions.

This is why I have a creative accountant, you get screwed on taxes in that bracket otherwise.

I still find it hard to believe the chestless goblin was making that much unless he was including the money he made selling Mexican AAS?

[tu_holmes]

This is why I have a creative accountant, you get screwed on taxes in that bracket otherwise.

I still find it hard to believe the chestless goblin was making that much unless he was including the money he made selling Mexican AAS?

No one who makes 6 figures doesn't find some loopholes.

[Mawse]

No one who makes 6 figures doesn't find some loopholes.

I was pleased to discover my guns, range fees and ammo are legitimate work related expenses 

[gmflex]

No. In that bracket you get to keep about 55-60 percent with no deductions. If you're honest.

Of course he has no state taxes in Florida. Possibly he would get to keep that I suppose depending on what taxes are taken or not.

Most places in that bracket get to keep about 75k with no deductions.

I'm in Texas.. no state tax..
I think the tax bracket is 35%..

[tu_holmes]

I'm in Texas.. no state tax..
I think the tax bracket is 35%..

You have a pretty low state sales tax too... it goes a long way.

[anabolichalo]

Palumbo always said Romano was notoriously lazy, had to be heavily edited, and never made his deadlines.

palumbo seems like a straight shooter who wouldnt tell a lie

[SaintAnger]

I like John a lot on a personal level--he's a likable guy with some amazing stories--but here's the truth from where I sit.

* He wasn't liked or respected by some higher-ups at ARP/MD.  But Steve liked him, and that's what counts.
* He only penned around 2 pieces a month, all in his own name.
* He served as a gopher for Steve Blechman to get various fitness chicks.
* He lost his son, Max, to his fleeing ex-wife while living in FL.  Steve stepped in, hired a big shot attorney, and saved John & Max from the situation.
* He hardly ever showed to the NY ARP offices despite being their Editor In Chief.
* He lead the direction of MD while he was EIC, which headed-up their most financially productive and "edgy" content.
* John was very loyal to Steve.  Turned down $250k/year to work for Phillips/MM2K.
* John deserves whatever he could get from Steve.  He may have not been the most productive writer on staff, but he put in work in other arenas.
* Ron Harris does quite well--about the same in pay--but the dude works his fucking ass off.
* Steve calls all the shots--I mean everything--for his magazines, and also is an insanely hard worker (he doesn't even need the money).

I think you guy's would find John to be a fellow Get Bigger at heart.  Like us, he is jaded & spiteful towards the industry, he's been around the block, he's an amazingly talented writer, landed a hot young intelligent piece of ass and married her (this happened twice in his life), and his detailed "ex-con" stories are a hoot! 

As an aside, even though I like John, I keep my distance.  He runs with the dark side for sure.  Cool to hang with, though.

[booty]

Great guy... Had my back over at md. I believe that Steve made a mistake getting rid of John. He's probably the only writer in the industry that I will read articles from.

[Mothballs]

I like John a lot on a personal level--he's a likable guy with some amazing stories--but here's the truth from where I sit.

* He wasn't liked or respected by some higher-ups at ARP/MD.  But Steve liked him, and that's what counts.
* He only penned around 2 pieces a month, all in his own name.
* He served as a gopher for Steve Blechman to get various fitness chicks.
* He lost his son, Max, to his fleeing ex-wife while living in FL.  Steve stepped in, hired a big shot attorney, and saved John & Max from the situation.
* He hardly ever showed to the NY ARP offices despite being their Editor In Chief.
* He lead the direction of MD while he was EIC, which headed-up their most financially productive and "edgy" content.
* John was very loyal to Steve.  Turned down $250k/year to work for Phillips/MM2K.
* John deserves whatever he could get from Steve.  He may have not been the most productive writer on staff, but he put in work in other arenas.
* Ron Harris does quite well--about the same in pay--but the dude works his fucking ass off.
* Steve calls all the shots--I mean everything--for his magazines, and also is an insanely hard worker (he doesn't even need the money).

I think you guy's would find John to be a fellow Get Bigger at heart.  Like us, he is jaded & spiteful towards the industry, he's been around the block, he's an amazingly talented writer, landed a hot young intelligent piece of ass and married her (this happened twice in his life), and his detailed "ex-con" stories are a hoot! 

As an aside, even though I like John, I keep my distance.  He runs with the dark side for sure.  Cool to hang with, though.

 Hi, John! 

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Great guy... Had my back over at md. I believe that Steve made a mistake getting rid of John. He's probably the only writer in the industry that I will read articles from.

No, Blechman did the right...abeit the only thing he could.  Romano was using his friendship to not do any work and once Steve cut him loose, we all saw the real John Romano.  He always thought that he was some rock star or something but in fact he was just an employee.  He's lucky to be in Mexico running a gym because that's a pretty easy job to do although I would not be surprised if he was mixed up into some other shit

[Jayel]

http://www.t-nation.com/opinion/5-reasons-why-you-should-never-compete