What would it take to get bodybuilding back on ESPN?

[MCWAY]

I remember when ESPN dropped all bodybuilding. They replaced it with billiard competitions. In ESPN found guys playing pool to be a better attraction than oiled up men posing to music in their underwear.  

After the movie Pumping Iron with the appeal of Arnold bodybuilding had it's biggest main stream acceptance. Now it just died out.  I think 100% of the public know the previous secret of steroids now. It's a sport based on drug use. No drugs equal no contests. Maybe something held in a high school auditorium that the seats are filled up with friends and family.

Most alpha males are interested in performance meaning real sports like football, MMA, baseball, basketball, track and such. Never went to a bar and had a guy say to me Yates had some lat spread in that contest.

Died out? I beg to differ.

Arnold was the only guy who got paid for winning the Olympia. Now, guys who place LAST earn double what he made for winning the whole thing.


Steroids haven't been a secret of bodybuilding. Nearly all of the criticism about bodybuilders today were made about Schwarzenegger back then. Show someone a pic of the Oak in his prime and you'll get much of the same "that's gross" comments. A cashier said much the same about an IronMan magazine I bought with the 7-time Mr. O on the cover. 
 
Arnold's post-bodybuilding movie career has more to do with his success (and any mainstream acceptance of bodybuilding) than bodybuilding itself.

You'd be pressed to find any major bodybuilding champs with mainstream appeal. The closest one to Arnold would be Lou Ferrigno (and that's because he did The Incredible Hulk).

[Ken Fresno]

[BayGBM]

The internet finally finished bodybuilding.

There is something to this.  If you pose on stage on Saturday then sell yourself to schmoes on Sunday that is not family friendly programming.  Especially when everyone can click a mouse and find your ads "looking for sponsors." 

Pro BB does not belong on television.

[Grape Ape]

How is it finished though?  Is attendance at shows low?  Is the prize money down?  Is Phil Heath not making a shit ton of money being Mr. Olympia?

[Howard]

But if they tried to hold a stand-alone bikini show or men's physique contest, it'd be at a loss.

Number of entrants isn't necessarily a viable stat. Any twig with a halfway pretty face and a boob job can enter a local bikini show.

I agree , but I think you missed my main point.
The main goal of any contest promoter is to make money.
Bodybuilding is still the core , but at $250 per entrant, bikini babes make them $$ before they sell a ticket.
Plus, most bikini / figure babes bring a few friends/family to see them who buy tickets.
That's a great source of guaranteed $$$ and you don't need to have many ads or marketing.

AGAIN for current promoters of national/regional events, the main goal is increasing contest entrants , NOT promoting bodybuilding.

Granted , it's a lazy way to promote shows, but an easy way to make $$.
Sure, they might make more $$ if they really tried to better promote more bodybuilding.
But, that takes some extra work and taking a risk.
Soooooo, they take the sure, steady income stream from hundreds of bikini/figure/mpd entrants and the ticket sales from family/friends that buy tickets to see 'em.

[drkaje]

Crossfit and Spartan races are more interesting because the muscle, conditioning, and hard work are being used in an activity.

Oiled-up drug addicts in thongs is boring and the public is a little better educated about side effects. I'd choose to watch grass grow, while listening to the girlfriend talk about her feelings, over a bodybuilding competition. It's just boring.

As far as the gays go: There's porn on the internet.

[Azure]

I agree , but I think you missed my main point.
The main goal of any contest promoter is to make money.
Bodybuilding is still the core , but at $250 per entrant, bikini babes make them $$ before they sell a ticket.
Plus, most bikini / figure babes bring a few friends/family to see them who buy tickets.
That's a great source of guaranteed $$$ and you don't need to have many ads or marketing.

AGAIN for current promoters of national/regional events, the main goal is increasing contest entrants , NOT promoting bodybuilding.

Granted , it's a lazy way to promote shows, but an easy way to make $$.
Sure, they might make more $$ if they really tried to better promote more bodybuilding.
But, that takes some extra work and taking a risk.
Soooooo, they take the sure, steady income stream from hundreds of bikini/figure/mpd entrants and the ticket sales from family/friends that buy tickets to see 'em.

The other divisions make the money but they don't have the interest.  Do you really think that the Orleans arena would be filled for the bikini and men's physique finals.  I can tell you right now the answer is NO.  The Men's Physique couldn't even keep interest at the expo.

Howard I really believe the physiques are the biggest issue why you can't promote bodybuilding.  Even the former bodybuilding fans think the people look terrible so how can you promote a shit product?  They don't even have good personalities to cover for it.  The Rock isn't a small guy at all and has visible muscle separation and women go nuts over him...he's handsome and charismatic so that helps a ton.  He's also working with Mr Olympia's trainer and his ex wife is an IFBB pro so that could open up opportunities for some cross promotion.

I just don't think the IFBB in its current incarnation wants the mainstream exposure.

[Howard]

The other divisions make the money but they don't have the interest.  Do you really think that the Orleans arena would be filled for the bikini and men's physique finals.  I can tell you right now the answer is NO.  The Men's Physique couldn't even keep interest at the expo.

Howard I really believe the physiques are the biggest issue why you can't promote bodybuilding.  Even the former bodybuilding fans think the people look terrible so how can you promote a shit product?  They don't even have good personalities to cover for it.  The Rock isn't a small guy at all and has visible muscle separation and women go nuts over him...he's handsome and charismatic so that helps a ton.  He's also working with Mr Olympia's trainer and his ex wife is an IFBB pro so that could open up opportunities for some cross promotion.

I just don't think the IFBB in its current incarnation wants the mainstream exposure.

I don't dispute your conclusions , but that's not my main point.
The organization and promoters GAVE UP on increasing interest in bodybuilding .
YES, men's bodybuilding is the main draw for the fans. BUT, they have a consistent stream of revenue with the large numbers of bikini, figure and MPD   entrants. 
No question , that the vast majority watching bikini, figure, mpd are their close friends/family .

Plus, with so many meatheads dressing and acting like this guy, why try LOL ?!

[Parker]

Crossfit and Spartan races are more interesting because the muscle, conditioning, and hard work are being used in an activity.

Oiled-up drug addicts in thongs is boring and the public is a little better educated about side effects. I'd choose to watch grass grow, while listening to the girlfriend talk about her feelings, over a bodybuilding competition. It's just boring.

As far as the gays go: There's porn on the internet.

Problem is that 1) most of the people that I see do Crossfit are still out of shape and do the exercises wrong. 2) only the top competitors in the Crossfit Games look like "they lift" or are in shape, which tends to mean "PEDs". 3) The Crossfit Culture tends to have a reckless attitude about Health (Rhabdo). 3) Many People who do Spartan Races  tend to take themselves way too seriously (Look at the Name, Spartan), like many in the gym culture do. And everybody wants to be "hardcore" and think that they are "hardcore", when all you are doing is exercises and running around in dirt, ponds, net walls, and mud. Kids do this.

[Coach is Back!]

I'm not talking about prime time, but maybe even taking the place of one of the nine re-runs of Sportscenter on ESPN 3.

What would it take?

It would first have to be considered a "sport".

[Grape Ape]

3) Many People who do Spartan Races  tend to take themselves way too seriously (Look at the Name, Spartan), like many in the gym culture do.

Real question - ever done one?  Of course, there's always a bunch (as well as in the gym culture) who take it to the extreme, but on the whole, it's about the challenge, fun and camaraderie .

when all you are doing is exercises and running around in dirt, ponds, net walls, and mud. Kids do this.

Agreed.  And it's awesome too.


But, again, I don't think this stuff is a bodybuilding substitute.   I just think most think weight training to build overdeveloped muscles that don't do much other than get looked at by gays is silly.

[Parker]

Real question - ever done one?  Of course, there's always a bunch (as well as in the gym culture) who take it to the extreme, but on the whole, it's about the challenge, fun and camaraderie .


Agreed.  And it's awesome too.


But, again, I don't think this stuff is a bodybuilding substitute.   I just think most think weight training to build overdeveloped muscles that don't do much other than get looked at by gays is silly.

I thought about doing one. There were a couple in my area. But when I see the adverts for them, and people dressed up like Superman, and couples dressed alike and people with this "hardcore" vibe and then our own 333 who was wading in a duckpond, I'd rather spend my time reading books to ostriches or watching a butcher at his craft.

[drkaje]

@ Parker,

GrapeApe hasn't abused me too badly on the Y, LOL!

I'm transitioning more to a crossfit kind of thing and need to do real cardio. No point looking good if you're not in good enough shape to properly lay a boot to someone's ass.

I'm pretty typical looking, anyways. Also, the back and knees can't handle the old weights.

[Azure]

I don't dispute your conclusions , but that's not my main point.
The organization and promoters GAVE UP on increasing interest in bodybuilding .
YES, men's bodybuilding is the main draw for the fans. BUT, they have a consistent stream of revenue with the large numbers of bikini, figure and MPD   entrants. 
No question , that the vast majority watching bikini, figure, mpd are their close friends/family .

Plus, with so many meatheads dressing and acting like this guy, why try LOL ?!

I think they gave up on promoting bodybuilding

1.  Bodybuilding is hard and people don't want to work that hard.  People want to work on their hair and not have to train their legs

2.  It's hard to promote a shitty product:  I consider myself pretty good at marketing/PR and I am not sure how you would promote the current crop of guys.  It's way too hard.  They look terrible and are not charismatic.

3. Unwilling to adapt or grow.  They are still stuck in the 1980's it seems when it comes to bodybuilding.  They could have a workout show on for busy people like Body shaping....but that goes back to not looking like a fat ass in the offseason or being poofy.

[Grape Ape]

I thought about doing one. There were a couple in my area. But when I see the adverts for them, and people dressed up like Superman, and couples dressed alike and people with this "hardcore" vibe and then our own 333 who was wading in a duckpond, I'd rather spend my time reading books to ostriches or watching a butcher at his craft.

Pretty weak excuse, to be honest.  Do you stop going to the gym because of all the jackasses there with their stupid clothes and routines?

The costumes are very rare, don't affect anyone, and are just people having being doofuses.   The duckpond  things is a goruck, and is very difficult.  Few here could do them unless they really dedicated themselves to training.

[wes]

Nobody gives two shits about todays bodybuilders because they look fucking terrible.

[Howard]

Nobody gives two shits about todays bodybuilders because they look fucking terrible.

Hmmm?

I was attended consistently for decades BUT last went to a pro or national show back n 2008.
If lifetime meatheads like me don't care about going now , what shot does it have ?

[Method101]

[Azure]

At least he has a posing routine. The crap I saw this year was terrible. Who wants to watch a guy stomp around the stage screaming? Howard I think before this latest round the last time I went was 2006 and again it was only bc my friends were competing. It was terrible then and it has only gone downhill since. This year's Olympia was lackluster...

[Method101]

At least he has a posing routine. The crap I saw this year was terrible. Who wants to watch a guy stomp around the stage screaming? Howard I think before this latest round the last time I went was 2006 and again it was only bc my friends were competing. It was terrible then and it has only gone downhill since. This year's Olympia was lackluster...

This is a posing routine, not the bullshit Kai pulls on stage.

[Azure]

This is a posing routine, not the bullshit Kai pulls on stage.

Those guys really put an effort into what they were doing.
Nobody even comes close to that these days in the open

[MCWAY]

There is something to this.  If you pose on stage on Saturday then sell yourself to schmoes on Sunday that is not family friendly programming.  Especially when everyone can click a mouse and find your ads "looking for sponsors." 

Pro BB does not belong on television.

Judging all bodybuilders by the handful of goofs who do questionable stuff is patently absurd. Why wouldn't you go the route of promoting (past tense) things like Mr. Olympia being a police officer (I.e. Olivia, Coleman)?

Or guys like Steve Kulco who is a firefighter (as was Porter Cottrell)?

[MCWAY]

The other divisions make the money but they don't have the interest.  Do you really think that the Orleans arena would be filled for the bikini and men's physique finals.  I can tell you right now the answer is NO.  The Men's Physique couldn't even keep interest at the expo.

Howard I really believe the physiques are the biggest issue why you can't promote bodybuilding.  Even the former bodybuilding fans think the people look terrible so how can you promote a shit product?  They don't even have good personalities to cover for it.  The Rock isn't a small guy at all and has visible muscle separation and women go nuts over him...he's handsome and charismatic so that helps a ton.  He's also working with Mr Olympia's trainer and his ex wife is an IFBB pro so that could open up opportunities for some cross promotion.

I just don't think the IFBB in its current incarnation wants the mainstream exposure.

If Arnold couldn't do it after all these years, why would Rock be able to do it now?

Women go nuts over John Cena, too. That doesn't help bodybuilding one bit.

Using wrestlers to promote bodybuilding? Been there; done that. Many WWE wrestlers (including Rock) have graced the covers of FLEX and Muscle & Fitness.

I'll take live and full coverage of bodybuilding on the web over severely edited coverage, aired months after the fact, on ESPN. I certainly don't miss having to channel-surf cable at the end of the month, hoping to catch an episode of "American Muscle".

[SF1900]

This really isn't "rocket science."

99.9% of the population CANNOT relate to the IFBB pros. How many people are going to look at this when they turn on ESPN and say, "Wow, I want to look like that?"

[drkaje]

NASCAR has millions of fans. People would rather watch someone else drive in circles than oiled men in thongs.