I think most are missing the point on this, the sadest part of this whole thing is that two people in a relationship had to break it off because one was afraid of being blackballed out of her profession. What type of profession is that and who would want to be part of it? If I worked for Fed Ex and married a woman who worked at UPS, would I be fired? No, so why is it any different here.
Before Titus went crazy, he used to talk about this same thing where his comments were going to be held against Kelly and her placings. I guess the IFBB just wants to show who has the power! I hate it for Lee and Adela. They seemed so much in love in the interviews in MD and on his reality DVDs. Don't worry Lee, I've got huge respect for a person that speaks their mind and doesn't fear the consequences. I will continue to buy your DVDs no matter where you compete or even if you do. As a person who loves the art of bodybuilding and competing against my self to outdo my previous best condition and placing, I feel the exact opposite about the business side of it.
Why would anyone want to put theirselves through this BS and end up like Lee and Adela? Maybe to end up in the top spots like Ronnie and Jay, but that's two out of how many? I would like to see year-end earnings of every IFBB pro from last year. Every fan would be amazed and I guarantee very few people would take the same risks to turn pro that they are right now. As for Bob Chick, you are in a position that doesn't come with a salary, the people you represent don't respect the postion as evidenced by the turnout at athletes' meetings, and a postion that the IFBB doesn't respect as evidenced by your comment that Lee's request would fall on deaf ears.
You are however an sponsored athlete of AMI, who own the IFBB right? I know the Weiders are still supposed to be in charge, but come on Bob. As much as I will continue to support Lee by buying his DVD's and such, I won't come near anything that supports you. I don't even shop at Bodybuilding.com anymore. You have won one pro show, masters at that, and used to make fun of other pro's in the pages of Flex magazine. And somehow, someone put you in the position to represent those same athletes. Go figure