Record prize money for 2006 Mr. Olympia!

[Chick]

Well, shit, bro.....lets just have it in the parking lot under a tent and give $500,000 to the winner!

By all means, lets use the most extreme example we can to illustrate a point.

I liked the "under one roof" set up myself a whole lot better, more convenient, better atmosphere...many advantages. BUT, after the mess Wayne left in regards to the Mandalay Bay....it wasn't possible to continue on there.

Once again Keith, there are many things you aren't aware of...and there are two sides to every story.

[Lift Studios]

Agree or disagree with how the Olympia is run, one thing is for certain it will happen. We can't say the same for Wayne's Vegas show now can we? Keith maybe you should focus your energy on helping your sinking PDI ship...

[onlyme]

Agree or disagree with how the Olympia is run, one thing is for certain it will happen. We can't say the same for Wayne's Vegas show now can we? Keith maybe you should focus your energy on helping your sinking PDI ship...

Right now I am working on opening two gyms at one time.  I really don't have time to do too much more.  Maybe after they open in late Oct. I can find time to argue the PDI thing.  But I am worn out about it.  I figure I will wait to see how the NOC is done and make my judgement.  I would suggest the same to you just in case your theory backfires and you don't have to come on here trying to back peddle all your bad remarks about it. 

What mess did Wayne leave at the Mandalay Bay.  He paid all the bills.  IN fact he had staging and lighting he offered to give to AMI to use for the Olympia that they turned down.  He was still offering to help them even after leaving.  He wanted a good show to continue.  The Olympia was not kicked out of the Manadaly Bay they left to save money.  I'm not sure what is meant by the mess he left at the Mandalay Bay.  But I will be talking to him this weekend and I will ask (if I remember)

[lonewolf]

It's going to be quite interesting to see what happens if AMI divests itself of Flex and Muscle and Fitness before the Olympia. How is the Prize money going to be guaranteed ?
The new owners may not be under any obligation to finance this event. Will sponsors still line up and invest money into an event whose financial returns have diminished quite a bit for them. Just some food for thought.

[Tre]

BUT, after the mess Wayne left in regards to the Mandalay Bay....it wasn't possible to continue on there.

Once again Keith, there are many things you aren't aware of...and there are two sides to every story.

Mmm...as you might expect, I saw it differently.

Although they will NEVER admit it, it's my opinion that the people running the Olympia in 2004 *hated* the fact that their main event played second fiddle to the rodeo cowboy expo at the Mandalay that weekend. 

It's entirely possible that the Olympia was unable to secure a suitable weekend in 2005 (and now, 2006) because of the increased competition from major organizations wanting to use Mandalay's facilities and rather than be #2 in a great location, they'd rather be #1 at the Convention Center and a WAY-off-the-Strip hotel. 

Have they ever contacted the Rio?  It's cheaper than Strip hotels and offers the same all-in-one convenience we enjoyed at Mandalay. 

[kmhphoto]

Have they ever contacted the Rio?  It's cheaper than Strip hotels and offers the same all-in-one convenience we enjoyed at Mandalay. 

Far too small.

[MB]

Hopefully, whoever is running the Olympia in '07 will reallize the advantages of being under one roof and find a good place for the event.  The Mandalay Bay was nice, but if it doesn't return there they should shop around.  It may be a good idea to move it out of Vegas.  I'm sure they can get a nice venue somewhere else that has everything all in one. 

[onlyme]

Well, shit, bro.....lets just have it in the parking lot under a tent and give $500,000 to the winner!

By all means, lets use the most extreme example we can to illustrate a point.

I liked the "under one roof" set up myself a whole lot better, more convenient, better atmosphere...many advantages. BUT, after the mess Wayne left in regards to the Mandalay Bay....it wasn't possible to continue on there.

Once again Keith, there are many things you aren't aware of...and there are two sides to every story.

What mess Chic.  From what I understand he paid all the bills,didn't leave a mess anywhere.  He in fct told AMI to use the staging and lighting they have been using the past year to make sure the show looked good.  They refused.  The are stupid.  And also, AMI ran the show from the Mandalay Bay the first year they took over.  If Wayne mess it up so bad why did the Mandalay Bay allow it to be run the next year.  It was actually AMI that caused such a mess.  There were still a few years left on the contract I think and AMI refused to go back unless they lowered some prices and made it less expensive to run.  This is actually what happened.  AMI wanted to change the whole cntract Wayne had with them.  When they refused to change AMI left for a cheaper place.  I do know most of the facts cause I talk to the actual people involved.  This is what I was told.  And I am way more apt to believe 3 separate guys over what AMI, Weider or Manion has to say. They are used tolying and deceiving people. 

[240 is Back]

I liked the "under one roof" set up myself a whole lot better, more convenient, better atmosphere...many advantages. BUT, after the mess Wayne left in regards to the Mandalay Bay....it wasn't possible to continue on there.

I find it VERY hard to believe that the mess he made was so bad that they would be unwilling to host an event when he left. 

If you're doing business with a firm DESPITE the presence of some jerk, then he leaves, why would you STOP doing business with that firm?  I am sure that without Wayne and his "mess", the mandalay and the IFBB should have no problem finding a good working relationship.

I can't believe it's being spun this way.  The O sucks since Wayne left - and it's being blamed on him?  LMAO...

[onlyme]

I find it VERY hard to believe that the mess he made was so bad that they would be unwilling to host an event when he left. 

If you're doing business with a firm DESPITE the presence of some jerk, then he leaves, why would you STOP doing business with that firm?  I am sure that without Wayne and his "mess", the mandalay and the IFBB should have no problem finding a good working relationship.

I can't believe it's being spun this way.  The O sucks since Wayne left - and it's being blamed on him?  LMAO...

He didn't screw up anything.  AMI put on the Olympia the year after Wayne left.  If he screwed itup with the Mandalay Bay why were they back there the next year.  The problem was AMI wanted to do the show at the Mandalay Bay but for less cost.  They tried to bargin with them and lost.  It is that simple.   It cost Wayne allot of money to put on the Olympia and he didn't want to lessen it.  AMI came in there the next year wanting everything Wayne got from them but for less money.  When they couldn't convince the Mandalay Bay to lower there rates and give them more they were forced to leave.  Very simple facts.  Can't sugar coat them, and can't dispute them.  Think about it, if Wayne screwed things up then why did AMI do the show there the next year. 

[Crusher]

They should hold it at the Hard Rock.  Cheap hotel across the street if you can't afford HR and Rehab at the pool on sunday is awesome!!!!!!!

[240 is Back]

He didn't screw up anything.  AMI put on the Olympia the year after Wayne left.  If he screwed itup with the Mandalay Bay why were they back there the next year.  The problem was AMI wanted to do the show at the Mandalay Bay but for less cost.  They tried to bargin with them and lost.  It is that simple.   It cost Wayne allot of money to put on the Olympia and he didn't want to lessen it.  AMI came in there the next year wanting everything Wayne got from them but for less money.  When they couldn't convince the Mandalay Bay to lower there rates and give them more they were forced to leave.  Very simple facts.  Can't sugar coat them, and can't dispute them.  Think about it, if Wayne screwed things up then why did AMI do the show there the next year. 

Bob continually points the finger at Wayne for the current crappy O digs.

Bottom line is that AMI/IFBB has had several years now since Wayne's departure, and the O is getting worse, not better.  You can point fingers at someone in 2002, but seriously, it's a yearly event and those running it are free to change anything they want.  When even Bob Chic admits "the hotel sucks", you have to wonder  -  Why can't they improve it? Or, why WON'T they improve it?  Eaier to badtalk someone from the past, than to just spend more money improving it?

[MB]

He didn't screw up anything.  AMI put on the Olympia the year after Wayne left.  If he screwed itup with the Mandalay Bay why were they back there the next year.  The problem was AMI wanted to do the show at the Mandalay Bay but for less cost.  They tried to bargin with them and lost.  It is that simple.   It cost Wayne allot of money to put on the Olympia and he didn't want to lessen it.  AMI came in there the next year wanting everything Wayne got from them but for less money.  When they couldn't convince the Mandalay Bay to lower there rates and give them more they were forced to leave.  Very simple facts.  Can't sugar coat them, and can't dispute them.  Think about it, if Wayne screwed things up then why did AMI do the show there the next year. 

Nobody who has attended the Olympia is dumb enough to think that it's a better show now because more prize money is given out.  Wayne spared no expense when it was held at the Mandalay Bay, and that's the way the Olympia should be run.  When AMI took over, it set the Olympia back 10 years.  During the '03 press conference, Wayne stated that the prize money would be $1 million within 5 years.  He had things heading in the right direction.  Too bad the IFBB got money hungry and aligned with AMI to cheapen the event.   

[onlyme]

Nobody who has attended the Olympia is dumb enough to think that it's a better show now because more prize money is given out.  Wayne spared no expense when it was held at the Mandalay Bay, and that's the way the Olympia should be run.  When AMI took over, it set the Olympia back 10 years.  During the '03 press conference, Wayne stated that the prize money would be $1 million within 5 years.  He had things heading in the right direction.  Too bad the IFBB got money hungry and aligned with AMI to cheapen the event.   

Absolutely correct.  No matter how much Chic tries to defend the IFBB and AMI on this one, he is fighting a losing battle.  The greedy hands of the IFBB has made the Olympia the 3rd or maybe 4th best show in the country.  It might have the title and the money (only because they restrict the ASC), but they are now down on the list of good shows.