Strongman has a new highest paying competition

Summary

The video script discusses the evolution of prize money in strongman competitions, highlighting the 'Strongest Man on Earth' as the new top-paying event with a $266,000 prize pool. It compares this to other major shows like the World's Strongest Man and the Arnold Strongman Classic, emphasizing the sport's growth and the need for full-time commitment. The speaker, a four-time winner, expresses gratitude for the opportunities and calls for promoters to increase support, aiming to elevate the sport to a level where athletes can earn a reliable income.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The 'Strongest Man on Earth' has become the top-paying strongman show, overtaking others in the past three years.
• 📈 Giants Live, while not covered in detail, is noted as the top-paying show in strongman when considering annual aggregate payouts.
• 💰 The prize money for winning the World's Strongest Man is $75,000 out of a total prize pool of $205,000, shared among 30 competitors.
• 📉 Despite increased revenue and TV viewership, the prize money for World's Strongest Man has not changed since the speaker started competing.
• 🚗 The Arnold Strongman Classic offers a total prize pool of $182,000 with the winner receiving $80,000, and has a significant expo event.
• 📊 The Rogue Invitational has reduced its prize money this year, with the winner now receiving around $115,000 from a total pool of $257,000.
• 💪 The Rogue Invitational is now the highest-paying show, with a focus on more evenly distributing prize money among competitors.
• 👏 The Shaw Classic, run by Brian Shaw, is praised for its economic reality and giving back to athletes, with a total prize pool of $266,000.
• 🌟 The Shaw Classic has passionate fans and a successful expo, contributing to its appeal for strongman competitors.
• 🤔 The script highlights the difficulty for most strongmen to make a full-time living from competition winnings alone.
• 🙌 The speaker expresses gratitude for the growth of the sport and the opportunity it provides, encouraging others to participate and support the community.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'Strongest Man on Earth' event in the world of strongman competitions?

The 'Strongest Man on Earth' event has become the highest paying show in strongman, surpassing other major shows in prize money, and is run by Brian Shaw, who is known for spreading the prize money more evenly among competitors.

How has the prize money distribution changed in the 'Strongest Man on Earth' compared to other shows?

The 'Strongest Man on Earth' has a total prize pool of $266,000, with the winner taking home about $100,000. It is known for providing a more even spread of prize money, ensuring even those who perform poorly receive a livable wage.

What are the four biggest shows in strongman according to the script?

The four biggest shows in strongman are World's Strongest Man, the Arnold Strongman Classic, the Rogue Invitational, and the Shaw Classic.

How does the prize money for the last place in the group at World's Strongest Man compare to the winner's prize?

The last place in the group at World's Strongest Man receives $1,250, which is significantly less than the $75,000 awarded to the winner.

What is the total prize pool for the Arnold Strongman Classic, and how is it distributed among the competitors?

The total prize pool for the Arnold Strongman Classic is $182,000, which is distributed among 10 competitors, with an average of $18,000 per competitor, though the distribution is top-heavy.

Why has the prize money for the winner of the Rogue Invitational dropped considerably this year?

The prize money for the Rogue Invitational dropped because they introduced the strong woman category, which required the total dollar allocation to account for both men and women athletes, resulting in a more equal compensation.

What is unique about the prize money distribution at the Shaw Classic compared to other shows?

The Shaw Classic is unique in that it spreads the prize money more evenly across competitors, ensuring that even those who do not perform well receive a livable wage.

How does the script describe the impact of Giants Live on the strongman sport in terms of prize money?

Giants Live runs several shows and, on aggregate over the course of a year, they are the number one paying show in strongman, providing an opportunity for athletes to make a reliable full-time income.

What is the speaker's view on the economic reality for strongman athletes trying to make a full-time living from competition winnings?

The speaker believes that very few strongman athletes can make a full-time living just from competing, and even those who can often need to rely on other income sources like YouTube channels, merchandise, or other businesses.

What does the speaker suggest is necessary for the sport of strongman to reach a whole new level?

The speaker suggests that for the sport of strongman to reach a new level, athletes need to be able to commit to full-time training without having to work other jobs that could be laborious or stressful, allowing them to take care of their bodies and potentially support their families.

What is the speaker's initiative called 'Lift Heavy Be Kind', and how does it contribute to the strongman community?

The 'Lift Heavy Be Kind' initiative is the speaker's way of giving back to the community. It involves making donations to independently owned gyms and supporting the sport of strongman, with the aim of helping others benefit from the sport emotionally, spiritually, and in terms of community and confidence.