How much money do Pro Strongmen make?

[Matt Meinrod]

I know the top guys do well because they don't have "real" jobs outside of training. But how much could you expect to make on the pro strongman circuit?

[Billy Wolt]

I know the top guys do well because they don't have "real" jobs outside of training. But how much could you expect to make on the pro strongman circuit?


i'm no pro, but i bet you could make whatever your it is that your day job pays :)

[Paul Savage]

i dont know but it must be going up all the time - over here in the uk strongman used to basically never be on tv, its been on 3 times today

[Ryan Brown]

depends on how good you are and how marketable you are

Jesse was saying on here before that Pudz makes a ton. Can't remember the exact amounts. I'm sure Jesse does decent also. I don't think most of the "pros" are making that much though. I made like $900 last year...lol

[DaneGarreau]

depends on how good you are and how marketable you are



Exactly. Marketability(sp?) + Winning= CASH!

[Jesse Snadden]

You only make cash from prize money in contests and signed contracts with sponsors if you have any. You can get payed for exibitions as well if your that high the food chain

[Jesse Marunde]

Exactly. Marketability(sp?) + Winning= CASH!

you forgot sponsorship which for Jon Andersen, Kevin Nee, and myself excedes our prize earnings.

[DaneGarreau]

you forgot sponsorship which for Jon Andersen, Kevin Nee, and myself excedes our prize earnings.

Well the marketability part is the sponsorship part of the equation. Nobody wants to sponsor a crappy or boring strongman, they must be marketable.

[Chris McNatt]

I think it would depend greatly on the country you live in.

Mariusz makes $$$$ because he is like the Michael Jordan in Poland. I heard he is on billboards and everyone in the country knows him. I have heard stories of polish gothic type young punks coming up to him and bowing. Not only is he an icon in Poland, but he is easily marketable to people all over because of his appearance. Some people will bu his products to look like him, and then some people will buy his products to be strong like him, and then some will buy it because of both.

Not only what country you live in, but where in the country do you live. If you live in a small town that has 4 bedroom houses that cost $200,000, then it is much easier to live off of something like 40-50K If you live in Southern California where a decent 4 bedroom house in a decent middle class neighborhood islike $700,000 then you better have another job.

[Jesse Marunde]

good points Chris....

[Tom Bebb]

I think I read once( cant remember where! ) that savickas is one of the richest men in Lithuania, purely on his strongman money, and of course his hummers?

[Craig Smith]

Francis Brebner told me that the money+hummer arnold win is about 40 years of average wages in lithuania. That's some g000t money!!111

[christopher smith]

you forgot sponsorship which for Jon Andersen, Kevin Nee, and myself excedes our prize earnings.
Jesse, Whats with the hat? Is that one of your new sponors :LOL:
Chris

[MarshallWhite]

I've been pro for about 4 weeks now and have only made 100 dollars but it was a sweet 100!

[Paul Savage]

Jesse, Whats with the hat? Is that one of your new sponors :LOL:
Chris
haha lol i bet some people will see jesse wearing that hat an go buy one

[Muscle Mom]

The hat's going to be auctioned on e-bay... :T:

[christopher smith]

I've been pro for about 4 weeks now and have only made 100 dollars but it was a sweet 100!
M-Dub, Did you sign a contract yet?
Chris

[Steve Means]

I was in poland probably 6 months or so ago. He is very well known and respected by everyone I talked to about lifting. I bought a physical culture type magazine (covering bodybuilding, strongman, mma, etc...) and his pic was in ads throughout the mag. Suppliment stores, etc... all have his pics up. He's got the sponsorship thing going for sure.

I'm sure he does very well there especially considering the lower cost of housing/food. Like Chris said, if your cost of living is low you don't have to make much. I saw pretty pimp custom homes there with lots of land for the equiv of $150k. And lithuania is even cheaper.

I think it would depend greatly on the country you live in.

Mariusz makes $$$$ because he is like the Michael Jordan in Poland. I heard he is on billboards and everyone in the country knows him. I have heard stories of polish gothic type young punks coming up to him and bowing. Not only is he an icon in Poland, but he is easily marketable to people all over because of his appearance. Some people will bu his products to look like him, and then some people will buy his products to be strong like him, and then some will buy it because of both.

Not only what country you live in, but where in the country do you live. If you live in a small town that has 4 bedroom houses that cost $200,000, then it is much easier to live off of something like 40-50K If you live in Southern California where a decent 4 bedroom house in a decent middle class neighborhood islike $700,000 then you better have another job.

[Kile Anderson]

I find the main drawback is that here in the USA, the most marketable guys really aren't that good, compared to other USA competitors.

A good combination would be a very good USA athlete (Proven winner) that is also very marketable.


Nice forum here!

Kile Anderson
Strongman Fan

[Ryan Brown]

I find the main drawback is that here in the USA, the most marketable guys really aren't that good, compared to other USA competitors.

A good combination would be a very good USA athlete (Proven winner) that is also very marketable.


Nice forum here!

Kile Anderson
Strongman Fan

who do you think are the most marketable guys? and who are the other usa competitors that are really good, but not marketable?

Jesse wins a lot and is quite marketable. Jon is one of the top guys is definitely has the look. Nee is really coming along. Travis will be quite marketable I think. Pfister is probably the only guy I'd put above these guys as far as being good and he could also be quite marketable I would think.

[DaneGarreau]

who do you think are the most marketable guys? and who are the other usa competitors that are really good, but not marketable?

Jesse wins a lot and is quite marketable. Jon is one of the top guys is definitely has the look. Nee is really coming along. Travis will be quite marketable I think. Pfister is probably the only guy I'd put above these guys as far as being good and he could also be quite marketable I would think.

In years past Steve K. was the man to beat, No disrespect to Steve but he is not a flashy fancy kind of guy. He is/was very consistant and never really blew anybody away on an event. Same thing goes with karl Gillingham.

In America looks mean everything, Nee, Mariusz, Jesse, Jon have great physiques, thus they are very marketable, not to mention they are good.

[Ben Booker]

I'm not a PRO, but if I was sponsered it would be from a least one place that provided food. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...FOOD.

[Ryan Brown]

In years past Steve K. was the man to beat, No disrespect to Steve but he is not a flashy fancy kind of guy. He is/was very consistant and never really blew anybody away on an event. Same thing goes with karl Gillingham.

In America looks mean everything, Nee, Mariusz, Jesse, Jon have great physiques, thus they are very marketable, not to mention they are good.

I agree steve and karl are also very good, but I don't think the post I was responding to is an accurate statement. The most marketable guys are also very good IMO.

[Stephen Calhoun]

I think u hit the nail on the head with the whole marketability concept. This concept is key to the rise and future sucess of the strongman sport in America. For the sport to continue to garner a share of the market in America the athletes must also entertain. Not only with their physical abilities, but with who they are. They must make the audience want to watch them.

People must watch a show one day and go to work the next and say" hey did you catch that guy on TV last night he was great he was insane, you should have seen him" This hinges not only on moving large amounts of weight but also in the audience conecting with the individual.

I got into strongman not just because the guys were huge and could move things that were amazing but i got hooked on guys like Svend, Magnus, and Jesse. They were more then just their lifts. They excited me about the sport, made me want to watch and become a strong man too. This is the key to the future of the sport in america, Which will intern increase in the money that could be earned by the athlete.

[Garrick Daft]

You can market turds to a toilet...you just need the right campaign. Look at american idol...they are willing to take anyone america throws at them and make them a star! Any Strongman in America is marketable..if done right...maybe guys will train harder then they already do to win? j/k..btw... I still don't think it is a training thing...although Phil Pfister would have been the WSM champ years ago if he would've trained harder...he is the American Magnus.

Keep your eye on Andrus Muremets by the way, where's he from Estonia? How come those guys have crazy grip power?? Maybe its a money or marketing thing..

[Ben Booker]

What I am going to do and what I think other strongmen should do is to build a persona like the guys in the WWE have. You have to play to the fans to a certain degree whether it be acting a little crazy or being Captain America. The fans want to see personallity, emotional, struggle, drama, acheivment, along with brute strength. Look at Rocky how many movies does that guy have. Hulk Hogan, most popular wrestler of all time. They both became popular by conecting with fans. How many people wanted to go box after Rocky and how many kids start walking and talking like the Hulkster?

With the legitimacy of WSM and the flair of WWE the sport of Strongman will explode.

[davebeers]

What I am going to do and what I think other strongmen should do is to build a persona like the guys in the WWE have. You have to play to the fans to a certain degree whether it be acting a little crazy or being Captain America. The fans want to see personallity, emotional, struggle, drama, acheivment, along with brute strength. Look at Rocky how many movies does that guy have. Hulk Hogan, most popular wrestler of all time. They both became popular by conecting with fans. How many people wanted to go box after Rocky and how many kids start walking and talking like the Hulkster?

With the legitimacy of WSM and the flair of WWE the sport of Strongman will explode.
screw that crap...that's when strongman would become a complete joke just like wrestling.

I'd rather strongman stay small and legit....i don't do strongman do entertain some half-witted idiot sitting on his couch at home.
You want money.....get a job, there's absolutely no reason why one can't work and still be a professional strongman. IMO, pro-strongmen could make a killing in personal training. Charge $60 an hour and train 5-6 clients a day...that's $300 a day of EASY money. Plus they could pick and choose their clients.

[srojv]

There are already some characters in strongman ie Svend Karlsen

[Ben Booker]

screw that crap...that's when strongman would become a complete joke just like wrestling.

I'd rather strongman stay small and legit....i don't do strongman do entertain some half-witted idiot sitting on his couch at home.
You want money.....get a job, there's absolutely no reason why one can't work and still be a professional strongman. IMO, pro-strongmen could make a killing in personal training. Charge $60 an hour and train 5-6 clients a day...that's $300 a day of EASY money. Plus they could pick and choose their clients.

Svend Karlsen "Viking Power", Bill Kazmier (pro wrestler), Mariusz "Polish Power", Jon Paul s. "I am the Viking", ect.. All of these guys had/have larger than life personas and are the most popular, memerable, and were WSM.

[srojv]

Exactly so there is no need to turn it into the wwe. Fans like the competitors already VIKING POWER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ben Booker]

Exactly so there is no need to turn it into the wwe. Fans like the competitors already VIKING POWER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is pretty much where I was going.

[srojv]

Although Jesse is starting to remind me of the cowboy in the Village People with that hat. Maybe that could be his alter ego (YMCA)

[Ben Booker]

Although Jesse is starting to remind me of the cowboy in the Village People with that hat. Maybe that could be his alter ego (YMCA)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....OWNED! :LOL:

[Garrick Daft]

But WWE guys can do it every weekend, while traveling everywhere. Strongmen can't compete at a high level every weekend. Fans will want a constant supply of entertainment... how do you get that to them?.... so they won't forget about you. Once a year WSM is too long to wait for your average joe. You are on the right track though B...and you will go further being entertaining...but you still have to be strong.

As for keeping Strongman in the shadows...that is the ole punk rock vs. pop rock mindset. I'm sure it is neck deep with that mindset within the inner circles of your sport.

Personally, I think the whole dam thing needs to be reorganized and managed with a better vision. Too much political, egotistical crap going on. Of course everyone here has there own opinion. It would be nice to organize those opinions and find out what exactly the mindset is of most people.

Guess Dave Beers went fishing and looks like he landed a bite!!

[Ben Booker]

But WWE guys can do it every weekend, while traveling everywhere. Strongmen can't compete at a high level every weekend. Fans will want a constant supply of entertainment... how do you get that to them?.... so they won't forget about you. Once a year WSM is too long to wait for your average joe. You are on the right track though B...and you will go further being entertaining...but you still have to be strong.

As for keeping Strongman in the shadows...that is the ole punk rock vs. pop rock mindset. I'm sure it is neck deep with that mindset within the inner circles of your sport.

Personally, I think the whole dam thing needs to be reorganized and managed with a better vision. Too much political, egotistical crap going on. Of course everyone here has there own opinion. It would be nice to organize those opinions and find out what exactly the mindset is of most people.

Guess Dave Beers went fishing and looks like he landed a bite!!

I agree. Maybe if it was as engrained as football it would be more popular and then it wouldn't be as crazy as WWE. Football still has caractors that make the sport very popular. If anything, I think just a little bit more media attention would draw popularity and recognition. There are lots of strongman comps. that could be televised instead of just the WSM finals.

[Stephen Calhoun]

Turn the WSM into a WWE wanta be......absolutly not! NO NO NO! That would almost surely destroy what the WSM is.

That said the events could defnently use a infusion of hype and exsitement for the fans....some pop and flair. Take the wrestlers out of the WWE and have strong man events at wrestlemania with all the fireworks, streemers, music, ....... and the WSM could be shot into mainstream stardom with out comprimissing the athletes and making them charaters as in the WWE.

I have been watching WSM Zambia and China again (espn has beeen running them) and the show its self is very boring and not very intertaining for the fans. The events are cool if your are into the sport but the everyday, american needs a more complete entertainment package. An event must build hype and antisipation with in the audiance. I beleive that this can be done without comprimissing the athletes.

In the WWE they are masters at creating the right atmosphere of antisipation for the characters to enter into. when the show, or the rock or angle enter into the stadium the crowd goes ape shit in the fulfiment of that antisipation. However, you must engage the audiance to acomplish this. The audiance must really care and want the athlete to lift that stone or pull that truck. The audience must have a internale need for the athlete to move that weight. It must go far beyond just the cool factor that he did it. The audience must feel the pain when a lift is missed and the joy when a new stone record is set. The audience must enter into a vicarious relationship with the athelete. As is done with any of the big sports in america. Kids must want to grow up to be Pud or Jesse. When the play out side they need to argue who gets to be the Sweed in order to reinact the events they saw on TV. This is how it is done in america.

The athelete must create that conection with the audiance. Svend, Jesse, Pud, and a couple of others are begining to do this. But the key is the WSM and their promational people. The WWE is exciting and sucseesful not just because of the athletes, because they come and go, but rather because of the show that is put on. I do not beleive that a great theactrical show surounding the strongman events would deminish their accomplishments.

[Chris McNatt]

Speaking of characters, I heard someone laugh out loud at the gym today.

Why did this man laugh?

We were watching Jesse do the giant log press, and when Jesse stood on one leg and put his ankle to his knee, the guy started to laugh...

I felt kind of weird because I sat on the bicycle in front of the TV and just watched with a huge smile, haha I wonder if people were like why is this guy so happy watching this show....

[Matt Brouse]

The fans want to see personallity, emotional, struggle, drama, acheivment, along with brute strength.
I am relatively new to the sport in participation but I would say we've got plenty of that in the competition already. Emotion, struggle, drama, acheivement...ever lifted a stone or flipped a tire? I'd say we're good there. This aint the movies or the soap operas.

[Ben Booker]

I am relatively new to the sport in participation but I would say we've got plenty of that in the competition already. Emotion, struggle, drama, acheivement...ever lifted a stone or flipped a tire? I'd say we're good there. This aint the movies or the soap operas.

I'm not talking about special affects and the guy is lifting a fake stone and a strongman soap operas with dresses or something that rediculous just a Little more for the fans. You dont have to act crazy or be camptian america if that isn't a little magnification of your real personality, but if every one knew you a little better and got a chance to see you before or after an event sniffing smelling salt or head butting something or rejoiceing at your victory you would probubly not be as far away from what I'm talking about as you think.

[Paul Savage]

What I am going to do and what I think other strongmen should do is to build a persona like the guys in the WWE have. You have to play to the fans to a certain degree whether it be acting a little crazy or being Captain America. The fans want to see personallity, emotional, struggle, drama, acheivment, along with brute strength. Look at Rocky how many movies does that guy have. Hulk Hogan, most popular wrestler of all time. They both became popular by conecting with fans. How many people wanted to go box after Rocky and how many kids start walking and talking like the Hulkster?

With the legitimacy of WSM and the flair of WWE the sport of Strongman will explode.
totally agree that it needs all those things - but theres no need for acting an all that nonesense - strongmans as real as it gets, its not a show like wwe, an everybody has personallity, all you have to do is be yourself infront of the camera

i feel there should always be clips of training movies being shown - just like the ones we have on here - you could have programs like 10 days in the life of blah blah (a top strongman) - then you see the personality, you see the effort they put in, you see the emotions, the strugles, you see other sides of them etc the fans can connect with you

you could put a big highlight package together for jesse vs mariuz or whoever

just like with ali for boxing, he was just being himself, having fun - if we had that kind of thing in strongman it would sky rocket

[Kile Anderson]

Strongman seems to have found a place. Until there is an American champ, we will never know if Strongman can offer any opportunity. Heck, Skateboarding/X games is bigger than any lifting sport....Ask Tony Hawk at 10 million year, along with many other highly compensated athletes (was watching MTV Cribs and saw some 'dude' who bikes for a living in a 5 million dollar home, 5 foreign sports cars...never heard of him).

Don't you hate it when someone looks the part, but is no good? Think bigger, think broader. When you get right down to it, there hasn't been anyone from the USA who has done anything to talk about. Kirit, Pfister, Gillingham, and Schoon seem to have done some good things, but on a national level....any championships?

Kirit and Gillingham showed that those who flat out compete and win do not get respect in the eyes of promoters, rather than those that make a lot of noises, but don’t live up to their self-created hype.

I can't believe when people think someone is just good and looks the part, or is entertaining warrants any sort of great respect over champions.

There are many people who do have some capability to help grow some of these Athletes, but too many selfish motives, too many boys clubs, will keep those who scream and who look the part the chance to demonstrate their mediocrity, while better athletes compete in silence.

Kile Anderson
Strongman Fan
With More Knowledge Than You May Think?

[Garrick Daft]

Look at Lance Armstrong, he practically is a living room name right now and only because he won the Tour De France the seventh time. No one cared too much about the 6th time.

When Kaz wasn't allowed to compete to win his fourth in a row, that secured the fate of Strongman sport in America. Kaz needed to set an unbreakable record.

Kaz could've easily won more then 5 times in a row and maybe more. He was charismatic, he was intense, he was a showmen, and he was...just how you like it..STRONG!

Once the sport was handed over to Europe...the American public has lost interest. Sure they might get slighly enthusiastic for moments but...this day and age attention spans last for days not years.

Kaz's reign should've been allowed to occur, but like you said...the political eye in the sky was looking short term instead of long.

Now, unless an American can win more then 4 times in a row...and the money hounds don't go chasing every quack quack offer...we'll be saying the same crap 15 years from now. Unless of course a radical transformation of a sort occurs.

[Garrick Daft]

I guess the most you can expect to make is whatever top Bodybuilders make. They have extracted every morsel out of the strength business. Top pros make millions, through winnings and endorsements...not many top pros though. Bottom pros make nothing. Most make an average living, and work hard for it.

Oh yeah, I think that since it seems very rare for a Strongman to dominate for years... it might be hard to maintain a long term endorsement deal...so you have to be creative to keep interest... mainly starting your own business.

[ClayEdgin]

A good strongman looking to make money might check into getting an agent. Sure, they take 10%, but you get the other 90%..

[Joshua Davis]

Kyle, are you going to name names here, or just beat around the bush? What American strongmen, in your opinion, just "look the part", or fills any of your other complaints?

[Matt Seymour]

Don't you hate it when someone looks the part, but is no good? Think bigger, think broader. When you get right down to it, there hasn't been anyone from the USA who has done anything to talk about. Kirit, Pfister, Gillingham, and Schoon seem to have done some good things, but on a national level....any championships?

Hmmm......lets see. Jesse took second at the WSM last year. Yeah your right that was lame. Travis loaded a 500+ pound atlas stone and posted a vid to prove it. Nahh, thats weak too. Kevin Knee, at 20 frickin years old, is the youngest competitor in the WSM to date. Nope, not noteworthy. John Anderson, commercial for ESPN during the superbowl. WEAK!!!................. If there was a tally of accomplishments for the last 3 years, US strongman have more than represented themselves well. Ive competed against everyone above, save Kevin, and can attest that they are indeed incredible and all of them marketable, unless you think ESPN and MTV are not good markets!!! I may have missed your point in your post but I am honored to be accounted among the US Pros, even if i suck at the moment. And I would match the top 5 US pros against any other pick of the litter!!

P.S. Travis just won a international show in Cypress, but you probably dont think thats noteworthy either.

[Jesse Marunde]

Hmmm......lets see. Jesse took second at the WSM last year. Yeah your right that was lame. Travis loaded a 500+ pound atlas stone and posted a vid to prove it. Nahh, thats weak too. Kevin Knee, at 20 frickin years old, is the youngest competitor in the WSM to date. Nope, not noteworthy. John Anderson, commercial for ESPN during the superbowl. WEAK!!!................. If there was a tally of accomplishments for the last 3 years, US strongman have more than represented themselves well. Ive competed against everyone above, save Kevin, and can attest that they are indeed incredible and all of them marketable, unless you think ESPN and MTV are not good markets!!! I may have missed your point in your post but I am honored to be accounted among the US Pros, even if i suck at the moment. And I would match the top 5 US pros against any other pick of the litter!!

P.S. Travis just won a international show in Cypress, but you probably dont think thats noteworthy either.

thanks for that Matt. you just took the words out of more than one mouth...

[Brendan Merchant]

As someone from outside the US (Scotland) I have to say that the US strongmen are starting to get a good reputation again.

Sure it's been a few years since you won the big one but ever year the US stongmen are becoming more and more competitive. Great strong men are few and far between otherwise we would all be doing it.

With the talent you have coming through I believe that it's only a matter of time before you win it.

I remember watching Jesse years ago placing well down the field in WSM. Since then he has improved rapidly finishing second in last years event to Mariusz. Getting to WSM in itself has got to be classed as a fantastic achievement whether you are from Sweden the US or elsewhere, let alone finishing second. After all Mariusz isn't a chump.

As for marketable guys, I think that the sport is more marketable than ever with the likes of Mariusz, Jesse and the big Swedes. Jesse's forum speaks volumes in itself.

I don't want this to sound like an ass kissing contest but I was genuinely surprised to read Jesse's post inviting a member who was thinking about competing to come along and train with him. Offers like that can only enhance and promote strong men in a good way.

While watching the last Super Series events I also liked the friendly banter between the competitors. I particularly liked the part where Jesse and the commentator were saying Mariusz was unconditioned and overweight as he walked past with his cut six pack.

Again this IMHO can only help to promote strongmen and is just what the sport needs.

[Robbie Walden]

You got to remember this is for any country realy. But truly meaningful in America. Why? Well marketability is everything. In strongman typicly the stereo type was 300 plus and 6 foot plus but still some fat. But Until Jesse Strongman never realy was as popular here. Not because people didn't like it in America but because the general public didn't want to be 300 plus and fat. They like 300 plus and Ripped. Why? well obviously you can still be the strongest man in the world with out fat. (Marius) but the key is woman!!! Sponsors included want you to be the all american boy. You don't have to be one of the best(luckly for jesse he is) but they want an athlete who is articulate and charismatic but more importantly who atracts the girls. Because if the girls want you then the guys want to be you. That is the main focus in America. And in American Strongman now. This is why Jesse and Kevin Nee and etc. have sponsorships who's earnings exceed what they make in winnings. Look at kevin for example. Definitly Strong, still young and developing. Far from his potential and no offense he won't win any big shows right now but he is another jesse in the making for america. He is young built attractive and strong as well as articulate and good on camera. Sponsors want some one who is gonna be on the camera. Not just on the camera but in the camera and not being shy cause you are a spokesman for them. That is why Strongman is finaly realy hitting america realy hard and on T.V. And we can thank people like Jesse And Marius and the others who are of similar builds. They are proving you can be stronger than an OX and actualy look atractive, muscular and ATHLETIC. That is another thingyou couldn't be as athletic or as fast as jesse or marius if you didn't lean up. They are finaly making strongman look like athletes not just ogars.


Stay Strong
Pocket Hercules
Hope No one finds this offensive

[Matt Seymour]

Jesse, your welcome. You, all the guys I listed and many more deserve the credit. US athletes are why ESPN runs strongman shows. Its why we can watch IFSA shows on basic cable. And to Robbie, you meen to tell me that my belly isnt attractive to the women. Man, now I know what ive been doing wrong. just kiddin :)

[Ryan Brown]

Kyle, are you going to name names here, or just beat around the bush? What American strongmen, in your opinion, just "look the part", or fills any of your other complaints?

pretty sure Kile is just trying to get under someone's skin.

[Kile Anderson]

Don't mean to get under anyone's skin. Just thought this was the proper forum/thread to throw some opinions around. There has definitely been some good feedback!

As far as my opinions or anyone's for that matter...hey man, I am a pure capitalist!!! I respect anyone out there capitalizing on any opportunity to make a better life for themselves!!! Honestly, if some dude out there was making a dollar on the fact he was the strongest man alive, while his 100lb. squat and bench press would say otherwise...good for him.

I am coming from a spectator’s point of view here. I am speaking of not an athlete, but the segment that in which Strongman needs to grab and hold on too if this sport wants to grow. From a former athlete’s perspective, I respect anyone going out there and doing it, that is beside the point.

I am just questioning that whomever the powers at be are, why they haven't or not currently focusing efforts to grow Strongman on the backs of more proven commodities? Use these guys as the foundation, and the up and coming athletes as the future of the sport.

Likeability is a major part of marketing, but from a fans perspective, I don't care if some guy is nice or pleasant to be around. Frankly, I would like to see an American Strongman with some arrogance, attitude, purpose driven rage, with the proven results to compliment these traits. But unfortunately, such traits would not put that athlete in the "boys club" to be promoted as such, since he might not be the butt kisser people expect him to be or want him to be.

Instead I see some guy on a commercial looking strong, but without the 1st place finishes justifying the look. But again, something about capitalizing on opportunity I respect....but for the sake of the sports image.......................where are the champions?

[Garrick Daft]

Kile, do you like Travis Ortmayer?

[Kile Anderson]

Have never seen him compete, but from the very same people who tell me the likes of Jesse Marunde having the tools and talent to one day dominate, Phil Pfister still being a threat to seriously bring a title back to the USA..........................I HEARD Travis might be one of the best, both here and abroad making his way up the ladder!!! Having been given both the physical and mental tools to make alot of people look...shall we say weak???

Kile Anderson
Just a Fan, with a good inside scoop!

[Garrick Daft]

Kile, I agree on Travis.

I also think that Phil Pfister would've won the WSM a few years ago had he trained harder. Maybe you've heard this to but, Phil rarely trains...he is just bone strong. Apparently he got really ready for the ISFA shows and did well, but...well ISFA is just a really hard contest.

I wonder who you are insinuating is just an illusion?? Do you not want to speak names because they peek into this forum?

I have to disagree with the type of American you want though...personally I think they should be nice to their fans.... not rude. With me it just takes one time being rude and that's it, I ain't your fan anymore.

Later

[Matt Seymour]

I hope you werent refering to John Anderson in the comment you made about "a guy in a commerical LOOKING strong". Im strong, there is no doubt about it, and John Anderson whipped my butt in SC. As did Travis, Jesse, Geoff, Odd and Poundstone. (and Bradd but we wont go there :D ) Im with Ryan, I think your just trying to ruffle some feathers. For someone with such strong opinions about the sport, you seem to know very little about it or what it takes to compete in it. But if ruffleing feathers was your goal, congrats, mine are officialy ruffled!

[Mac Smith]

... Frankly, I would like to see an American Strongman with some arrogance, attitude, purpose driven rage, with the proven results to compliment these traits. But unfortunately, such traits would not put that athlete in the "boys club" to be promoted as such, since he might not be the butt kisser people expect him to be or want him to be.




That's bull and you know it!!!! Sorry to get hostile here, but I hear crap like this all the time, but I guarantee you are a Bonds hater, and an Iverson hater, and an Terrell Owens hater. These guys never get endorsement deals because fans don't like the "bad-guy". That is proven by the dollars other "lesser" athletes generate because of their likeability. But the casual fans always say "I don't care if the guy is arrogant". Just a bunch of crap, IMO!!!

[ClayEdgin]

Bonds would get a lot more fans if he hit 715 homeruns while being fat and drunk like Babe. I know I'd be wearing a Bonds jersey if he did!

Even for all its current flaws, I think the popularity of the sport (at least as seen on TV) is increasing. Van Hatfield is on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Jon Andersen is pulling a bus in a commercial that debuted during the Superbowl. Kevin Nee pulls down a spot on an MTV show. Kara Mann has a camera crew follow her around at a contest or two and appears on the Today show. All this has happened within the last year or so. It's starting to happen and guys that walk the walk and talk the talk should be able to strike while the iron is hot. Nobody wants to see Glenn Ross in a commercial for Hot Pockets though!

[Nicolette L.]

Hey guys watch your language. I edited a few of your comments. Lets keep this one clean!

[Matt Seymour]

Nobody wants to see Glenn Ross in a commercial for Hot Pockets though!
Actually Clay, I wouldnt mind seeing that. That would be hilarious. Just imagine, Hot Pockets post workout recovery pastrymealthingy. Fortified with extra trans fats and cholesterol. Id buy a case of em. And im sure Josh and Dan would be in. Somebody call the Hot Pocket people!!!

[ClayEdgin]

I think people would be confused as to why Fat Bastard from the Austin Powers movies was trying to hock Hot Pockets! hahaha

[Kevin Cronin]

I think what Ben was saying in an earlier post - about strongmen constructing personas like the wwf - and was so vehemently disagreed with by dave and stephen, could be looked at a different way.

The personas dont have to be fake, or manufactured, just known. For instance, all that posing that jesse was doing, nee with his routine of pumping up the crowd - they're good things. It either entertains you or annoys you - I remember hearing, or maybe reading about somebody who thought jesse was showboating with his flexing and stuff, but you know what? The KNEW his name and he had them talking; good for the sport.

Look at the HUGE surge in popularity that ufc has undergone in the last 18 months, ever since the debut of The Ultimate Fighter. I had seen a few UFCs before, and I definitely thought it was a cool concept, but I never had a background in mma, nor did I KNOW enough about the competitors to care - at all - about the results. That changes when you start watching them for an hour every week for 12 weeks. I cant imagine how many new fans plunked down the cash for the couture-lidell 2 fight. You develop a rooting interest in the guys - for and against. Hate can be a good thing; I hate koscheck and diego, but I will look up their matches every time to find out if they won or lost. From a financial standpoint, it doesnt matter whether you love em or hate em, if they put your butt in a seat, it's good for business.

[Matt Meinrod]

Holy $hit Kevin, you just thought of an absolutely awesome kick ass idea...I'm gonna start a new thread.

[Joshua Davis]

Actually Clay, I wouldnt mind seeing that. That would be hilarious. Just imagine, Hot Pockets post workout recovery pastrymealthingy. Fortified with extra trans fats and cholesterol. Id buy a case of em. And im sure Josh and Dan would be in. Somebody call the Hot Pocket people!!!

You know you are fat when you are watching World Strongman Cup on television, and your toddler son walks in, points at Glenn Ross on the screen, and says "DADDY!"

sigh...

[Patrick McGuffin]

Thats sad but..... Holy crap is that funny lol.

[Brett Hagmann]

You know you are fat when you are watching World Strongman Cup on television, and your toddler son walks in, points at Glenn Ross on the screen, and says "DADDY!"

sigh...


hahaha...priceless

[Joshua Davis]

A part of me died that day. I am glad you guys find it so funny. Everytime big Glenn does an event well, and belts out "Whoose tha daddy? Jah-mon!", I sigh, "I am... I am"

[Eric Johnson]

You are drawing with your 5 year old daughter and you draw a muscle dude, big lats and arms, small waist, etc. And ask her what is it and she says a muscle guy and I say like Daddy? And she says yes, but... and then draws a big circle over the stomach, and I ask what is that and she says his tummy!:BB:

[DaneGarreau]

You know you are fat when you are watching World Strongman Cup on television, and your toddler son walks in, points at Glenn Ross on the screen, and says "DADDY!"

sigh...

Where did you get a DVD or whatever?

[Joshua Davis]

Where did you get a DVD or whatever?
I watch it on TV, it's on a local sports station here.

[Matt Meinrod]

LOL, I guess this thread kinda got away from me. I know earnings are based on placings in competitions and of course marketability from sponsers, but lets say for instance you're top 10 in the United States and you're not a fat ass. Could you expect to make 25K, 50K, 100K, 250K+?

[Jay Hagadorn]

Could you expect to make 25K, 50K, 100K, 250K+?

If you have the appropriate tools, $150,000+...

[Mike Gill]

LOL, I guess this thread kinda got away from me. I know earnings are based on placings in competitions and of course marketability from sponsers, but lets say for instance you're top 10 in the United States and you're not a fat ass. Could you expect to make 25K, 50K, 100K, 250K+?

Matt:

My best guess is would be you could make 250+ if you market yourself well. This is going to be the most important thing. IF you have abs, place high in some shows and make it on TV you can make a lot of opportunity for yourself. You will have to create these openings though and show people how by using you, you can make them money.