What do we do now?

[Joshua Davis]

A fair warning, this post will be sappy, in a manly sort of way.

I just felt that we should be thanking the likes of America's top strongmen, Steve, Trav, Jesse, Don, Josh, DaveO, Odd, Kevin, MacD, Jon, Van, Karl, and so on. Without all these guys, we would have never been able to push our athletes to excel.

The reason being, for 20 years we have lacked legitimacy in strongman among our European brothers. I remember reading an interview with Svend (prior to the 2004 US Nationals) where he was joking about the state of American strongman, which I never took as an insult - however I did take it as a frame of mind from the Europeans. In two short years, we have seen multiple Americans place in the top 10 at IFSA, podium finishes in the WSM and UFSA Worlds in Quebec, and finally, we see it come to the end of a 25 year drought in one of the top strength competitions in the world, and certianly the most recognized (all cross-federation illegitimacy bickering aside).

What do we do now though? Are we going to lose the fire, or are we going to feed the fire? How many of us know pros? How hard are we pushing our pros? Are we supporting our pros when they have to travel? Eat? Train? Need equipment? Is it possible that we could do more?

Now is the time that we need to turn it up. We need to support our Amateur shows, we need to support our local pros, and we need to continue to make the strongest, meanest, sob's in the world, to push our big boys, and to push our Am's and Pros to grow up into big boys themselves.

All of us can do more, give more, train more, and represent our sport more. It may not be our "job", but if we love our sport, and love seeing our countrymen at the top, it may be worth our time to really commit ourselves to American strength athletics.

[Barry Perkins]

hear...hear...
I agree...

[Chris Grantano]

Great talk, J.D..

[Brandon R.]

Give me another 9-10 years, and you'll see another American WSM!! :D

But seriously, besides me and 1 other guy I know, no one else around me knows or cares about strongman. We really need to promote strongman more all over America.

[Joshua Davis]

Give me another 9-10 years, and you'll see another American WSM!! :D

But seriously, besides me and 1 other guy I know, no one else around me knows or cares about strongman. We really need to promote strongman more all over America.

I think that we have an opportunity, probably a much bigger opportunity after Jan 1st when WSM 06 airs, for American's to get more involved and interested in our sport.

[Matt Brouse]

My plan, is to hopefully open a small business (gym) based on strongman style training in the MN area. This will be valuable to powerlifters, weigtlifters, etc with my current plan as well as a small number from the general public. Small time, no frills, just the equipment you need and the atmosphere you want. I also plan on promoting some contests and grip contests.

Oh, and throwers too! Gotta love the throws...I am going to develop and "Youth Hammer Throwing" program. :EP:

[Mike Pelosi]

Alot of people I know are very intrigued about the sport of strongman and I brought alot of people who had seen "that Polish guy on TV moving those balls" to my first strongman contest. Its extremely entertaining, and some of them even tried out the rolling Thunder contest. As far as I am concerend, Strongman is in a prime position to move forward, but their has to be a big push. Everywhere I go, I mention I am a strongman compettior. Sure, i may come out annoying at times, or even boring, or even cocky, it gets people asking. As long as Strongman remains athletic and entertaining, it will keep on pushing forward.

[ClayEdgin]

I think American strongman competitors, both pros and amateurs, today are in a unique position to shape the world strongman scene 5-10 years from now. The potential is there to create such a deep field of talent that they will have to start imposing rules on how many Americans can be entered in any international competition....kind of an "affirmative action" of strongman - better American athletes being overlooked for competitors from other countries who might not be as good, all in the interest of keeping the diversity in the field. This could become a problem, but I'm happy to have the chance to become part of the problem! haha

[Mr_T]

I, personally, don't compete in strongman, but have mad respect for every one of you guys that do. I've always enjoyed the sport and appreciate the advice/experience you bring to the table. I think strongmen are some of the most well-rounded athletes there are. I don't see many guys competing in strongman that are in it for the money. They do it because they love it.

I have learned a lot from each of you and truly appreciate it. We all train for the same reason... to get bigger and stronger.


T

[Ryan Rhodes]

Keep an open mind. I'm not trying to piss anybody off. Just a few things off the top of my head.

NAS, imho, just doesn't have the logistics to proliferate American strongman past the point it's at right now. I wish it was the other way, but it's not. There's no networking, no sponsorship, no marketing and nobody at the top with the knowhow or ingenuity to make any of these things happen. Strongman has changed with the times and the main national governing body has not kept pace.

Encourage more non-NAS sanctioned events supported by individual SM teams; or more sanctioning bodies. Follow the lead of MMA and professional poker.

Team vs. team challenges/sanctioned ProAm team competitions would be cool.

Have more ProAm events. Create pros and flood international competition with American pros.

Have many more mainland pro events. National exposure is priceless for many reasons.

Maybe send out invites to high level competitions to athletes from other genres and affiliate strongman with other more prominent sports; Open up top level competitions to pro football players, wrestlers, bodybuilders etc. without having to qualify for a pro cards.

Somebody has got to know somebody that they can pitch a strongman reality show to. Why not Stroman reality TV? They've got a show for everything else. Maybe something in the mold of the Ultimate Fighter on Spike. Look what that did for MMA.

Open up more lower pro level pro competitions to top amateurs (in addition to more ProAms). There are many seasoned amateurs out there who can take some of the pros who earned their cards when SM was in it's infancy 5+ years ago. Why not give them a cut of the action, bolster their skill etc. and at the same time encourage our pros to up their game and/or maintain.

Strongman is a full-time job for some and prize money is never consistent. Our pros need quality healthcare to be offered by the governing bodies they affiliate themselves with. Our pros bring money, recognition etc. to those entities and must be supported by them in anyway possible at all costs. No taxation without representation.

There's a lot more, but I'm tired. Somebody step up, shake it up and be creative.

[Kyle]

[QUOTE=Mike Pelosi]"that Polish guy on TV moving those balls"QUOTE]

The number of Americans (particulary those 16 yrs. +) who know exactly who Mariusz Pudzianowski is never ceases to amaze me. For some reason, this summer, the topic of the World's Strongest Man competitions on ESPN came up. I just listened in to the conversation while about 5 of my coworkers (who have no real competitive interest in strength athletics/lifting past watching it on T.V.) rattled off Mariusz's name several times and talked about how incredible they thought he was. I was stunned. Five random people knew exactly who he was and what the sport was about.

I guess the point of this is that although there may not be an endless supply of people who want to compete, I definitely think that there is a market willing to watch it and who will enjoy it. That being said, I don't know if strength sports will ever go "mainstream" in American society, but I think that Josh is right when he says that there is more that could be done to help the spread of the sport.

[Eric Todd]

Have more ProAm events. Create pros and flood international competition with American pros

We DO NOT need to water down our pro ranks. Then the legitimacy of being a pro is lost.
ET

[Ian Duggan]

Have more ProAm events. Create pros and flood international competition with American pros

We DO NOT need to water down our pro ranks. Then the legitimacy of being a pro is lost.
ET
Oh hell yeah, I think the last thing that the US needs is MORE Pros.

One of the reasons that Pudz is so well known around the world (aside from being the most consistent strongman over the past... 4 years maybe?) is how he looks. Even though Strongmen nowadays are getting leaner and fitter and faster, he is still much closer to what the public considers a "strong man" to look like i.e. closer to the shape of a typical body builder.

Pfister has no abs for gods sakes, he can't possibly be that strong!

(just to pre-empt any misunderstanding, that comment does not reflect my own view)

[Richard Reynolds]

After reading the congratulations to Phil on the ASM webpage
http://americanstrongman.org/articles/detail.asp?ArtID=173
I started to think about how many strongman will enter the American Strongman Corporation (ASC) St. Patrick's Day Nationals in Columbia, SC in future years. (Phil skipped, obviously more focused on WSM as did Jesse.)

A lot of injuries came about to the athletes, and the contest is so heavy and so late in the year that there isn't the recovery time needed for the international events.

So as Americans get better, will the best focus more on international events and leave extemeley heavy, noninternational contests behind? (The Arnold strongman is international.)

[Matt Nickerson]

or more sanctioning bodies.

I like most of your ideas Ryan, but I thought about this one and this just seemed like it would lead the sport down the same road as Powerlifting.

[Garrick Daft]

What do we do now though?
Hope and Pray an American wins the IFSA World Championship!!!!

[chrisklavette]

My plan, is to hopefully open a small business (gym) based on strongman style training in the MN area. This will be valuable to powerlifters, weigtlifters, etc with my current plan as well as a small number from the general public. Small time, no frills, just the equipment you need and the atmosphere you want. I also plan on promoting some contests and grip contests.

Oh, and throwers too! Gotta love the throws...I am going to develop and "Youth Hammer Throwing" program. :EP:
Where are you thinking of opening this up at? I would imagine somewhere with a good amount of land. I was actually thinking the same thing but more as a large barn with equipment, trucks (for pulling), and plenty of pavement. Also, when were you thinking of opening such a business?
If you are looking to promote shows around the area we are trying to set one up for spring/summer of '07 here in Rochester and could sure use some help.

[Kristyn Vytlacil]

Strongman is a full-time job for some and prize money is never consistent. Our pros need quality healthcare to be offered by the governing bodies they affiliate themselves with. Our pros bring money, recognition etc. to those entities and must be supported by them in anyway possible at all costs. No taxation without representation.

There's a lot more, but I'm tired. Somebody step up, shake it up and be creative.

I have to wonder how this idea specifically relates to strong women, given that we no longer even have a pro division. Everybody knows how expensive this sport can be and let me tell you, I'm having a hell of a time getting anybody to say they want to sponsor an "amateur" strong woman. If really good strong men get health care, well I want it too, not that I'm amazing yet, but I will be!

It seems to me that as we are discussing ways to promote the sport of strongman, women often get forgotten or left out of the discussion. The male half of the sport seems to be going in a very positive direction and I just can't say the same for the female half. I also believe that it's going to be much more difficult for women to promote our sport when WSW doesn't even get televised in the U.S. anymore. Watching Jill Mills win WSW is what pushed me to get involved in this sport once I was done swimming. Women don't have that motivational factor anymore and it's really disappointing...

(Note: I don't want this thread to be seen as a "women's rights" sort of thing, I just think it's important that we consider strong women in these discussions, that's all)

[Mac Smith]

Hate to rain on everyone's parade, but here is a bit of a reality check... I'm as happy as anyone here that Phil bought the title back to the good ole USA!!! But let's be honest with ourselves, strongman will never be what we all want it to be, a mainstream sport on the lines of football, basketball, baseball, hockey, or even the X-games. American's are more interested in team sports, first. Second as much as we all think otherwise, the general public just doesn't seem to think that the sport of strongman isn't as exciting as extreme sports. Not as much percieved risk as those other sports, plus the sport is too static (not enough movement). No high flying acrobatics, devestating hits, death defying stunts, etc. Now I know everyone is going to state their opinions as to otherwise, but we are all strongman fans and/or competitors, so we are biased. Convincing the general public is another story. Lastly, all strength sports are mired in BS, especially when it comes to supplementation. Pros are at the mercy of a double-edged sword. If they are honest about their supplementation, they are villified by the public. If they lie about it, they are again villified by the public as being liars.

The sport can grow to the biggest and best 'strength' sport on the planet and that should be our focus. We shouldn't try to compete with these more mainstream sports until we dominate our sports field. How do we do that... stop the BS bickering between the two, major, strongman organizations. Allow cross competitions. Eliminate the single sponsor ideas for these major shows. Allow the athletes to get as many sponsors as they want and to sport their attire on these shows. Align ourselves with the 'other' strength sports major competition (the olympia). Having the WSM during the Olympia gives us the type of recognition and fan base that we need. I know these ideas aren't what strongman fans want, but I think the only way we can grow this sport is if we are realistic. We tend to have our heads in the cloud thinking we can compete with these more mainstream sports, the reality is... WE CAN'T! So let's stop trying, let's define our own niche and go from there!!!

And I don't want to get started on the issue of female strength sports, because I think there are different variables involved.

Just my .10

[Anthony Cissell]

Mac is right...to a degree...

People allow themselves to manifest all of their interest in a sport when it is a team sport. Look at football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and the most recognized sport throughout the world regardless of Americans interest: Soccer. All of these sports are a team effort, don't require one guy to win. Many a person, have difficulty flocking their interest to one particular individual. Very violent sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts are an easy sell for individual promotion because of the aformentioned title of the sport...violent.

I posted awhile back on how I think having a team strongman league would do wonders for it's popularity. Think about it, how many people even in this community think that their training crew is the best in the states? Possibly the world? A team league would allow for more interest for people whom don't follow the sport regularly to gain a much more significant interest than as opposed to strongman being as one of my training partners said "an underground sport".

Strongman will gain more popularity throughout time, there's no way it cant unless everyone decides for whatever reason to stop training (which I do not see the possibility of that occuring). In terms of Strongman being a mainstream sport, thats highly unlikely. However, in terms of Strongman becoming a sporting event on the lines of the X-Games, that possibility is there.

Another reason a team league would be successful: favorite teams. Isn't it fair to say that everyone has their own favorite team whom the really enjoy and root for every time their particular team plays, regardless of the sport? Well I couldn't see a reason why nobody wouldn't get a favorite crew to root for. More exposure on bigger networks, a team atmosphere, I think, would do wonders for the sport. Not by chance make it mainstream, but make it expand into something bigger and better, which is what strongman is about anyway, getting bigger and better (getting stronger, well gotta throw that in there too :D )

[MarshallWhite]

Hate to rain on everyone's parade, but here is a bit of a reality check... I'm as happy as anyone here that Phil bought the title back to the good ole USA!!! But let's be honest with ourselves, strongman will never be what we all want it to be, a mainstream sport on the lines of football, basketball, baseball, hockey, or even the X-games. American's are more interested in team sports, first. Second as much as we all think otherwise, the general public just doesn't seem to think that the sport of strongman isn't as exciting as extreme sports. Not as much percieved risk as those other sports, plus the sport is too static (not enough movement). No high flying acrobatics, devestating hits, death defying stunts, etc. Now I know everyone is going to state their opinions as to otherwise, but we are all strongman fans and/or competitors, so we are biased. Convincing the general public is another story. Lastly, all strength sports are mired in BS, especially when it comes to supplementation. Pros are at the mercy of a double-edged sword. If they are honest about their supplementation, they are villified by the public. If they lie about it, they are again villified by the public as being liars.

The sport can grow to the biggest and best 'strength' sport on the planet and that should be our focus. We shouldn't try to compete with these more mainstream sports until we dominate our sports field. How do we do that... stop the BS bickering between the two, major, strongman organizations. Allow cross competitions. Eliminate the single sponsor ideas for these major shows. Allow the athletes to get as many sponsors as they want and to sport their attire on these shows. Align ourselves with the 'other' strength sports major competition (the olympia). Having the WSM during the Olympia gives us the type of recognition and fan base that we need. I know these ideas aren't what strongman fans want, but I think the only way we can grow this sport is if we are realistic. We tend to have our heads in the cloud thinking we can compete with these more mainstream sports, the reality is... WE CAN'T! So let's stop trying, let's define our own niche and go from there!!!

And I don't want to get started on the issue of female strength sports, because I think there are different variables involved.

Just my .10
Spot on! Great post!

[Matt Brouse]

The day strongman becomes like football or basketball, I'm checking out. Not real likely however.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

-agreed strongman will never be big money- nfl/nba/etc-sport
-or high profile x games money

but-realistically-i think strongman(with the right type of marketing) could generate at least the prize money of pro bodybuilding and hopefully more-

it is a far more watchable *sport than bodybuilding-proof of that is espn and the wsm show-
other networks -FOX included- have televised strongman- bodybuilding on tv is rare

there IS a product here-the athletes are the product--yet the top bodybuilders do better financially-than the top strongmen

bodybuilding money:
Mr. O-1st thru 10th:$155,000-$90,000, $60,000, $48,000, $38,000, $30,000, $18,000, $17,000, $16,000, $14,000

the Arnold-bodybuilding championship:1st is $100,000+a ford SUV+$20,000 watch
2nd thru 6th- split up $150,000

granted-bodybuilding is mainly sponsored by the supplement companies--but strongman-if presented to the right corporations could gain sponsorship also-

one advantage of an american champion-which we have at the moment-is that corporate america may-somehow become interested

pudz looked cool in met-rx hat & tank tops- but phil pfister and other american strongmen-might appeal to bigger companies- like john deere or detroit deisel or-?

phil looks like-and is-a working man-possible marketing angle






$40,000 for 1st at wsm-is 5th place at the olympia-


*no need to argue about whether bb is a sport-or not
went back and edited out a few annoying hyphens :cool:

[Ian Duggan]

But then the problem comparing bodybuilding and strongman has been discussed at length before here and on many other forums.

The average Joe, who goes to the gym and lifts weight two or three times a week, doesn't want to look like Phil Pfister or Don Pope, he wants to look like Arnie, or Ronnie Coleman or Lee Priest. There's a photo from the WSM of Phil getting out of the pool after the keg carry with his one-pack hanging over the band of his shorts. Pretty hard to market that. The vast majority of the public doesn't aspire to look like that.

They'd like to look like a fitness model more than a strongman, and that's where a lot of sponsorship money comes from in bodybuilding. Companies can say in a variety of roundabout (or not so roundabout) ways "if you buy our product, you too can look like this guy."

Look at your average movie star - how many of them have build similar to strongmen or power-lifters, or how many look like miny-bodybuilders?

I'm pretty sure if you showed a picture of Jesse, and a picture of a pro bodybuilder to your average punter and asked them who they thought was "stronger", they'd go for the body builder every time. Perception is very important in marketing.

Just my thoughts on the matter...

And as Jesse and Mariusz know, a major way to make money in Strongman is to be marketable. If all strongmen looked like them, or were similar in build, then the sport would suddenly become easier to sell. But if you judge by looks and not strength, well then your actually doing bodybuilding as opposed to attempting to match its prize money.

[Matt Brouse]

The average Joe, who goes to the gym and lifts weight two or three times a week, doesn't want to look like Phil Pfister or Don Pope, he wants to look like Arnie, or Ronnie Coleman or Lee Priest.
I think that is more the "minor league muscle heads." Seems to me that most of the "average Joes" I know want more to look like brad pitt or those other skinny-muscle nancy boys on the TV, because that's what chicks dig (for the most part) and that's what will get them laid.

Agreed on the marketability thing...we could push them as offensive lineman, only much better athletes. :disgust:

[Elliot_Storey]

First: I like this thread a lot; good thoughts all around.

A couple of comments on the popular thoughts: First, as far as physical marketability is concerned, has there ever? or recently been a "fat slob" WSM Champion? Our champions are looking better because as the sport of strongman has evolved to find its own identity, so have the athletes like Pudz and Jesse. The object is to become the best combination of strength, speed, mobility, and endurance, which naturally leads to more fit bodies. On the other hand, even Zavickas is marketable to a degree. I can see him being the face of infant formula.

Secondly, The sport of team strongman is a good idea, but I have seen these types of competitions on TV (World's Strongest Nation?) and I don't like the format of the whole team moving a certain weight. Rather, I would like to see a team of 5 guys from one country compete against other countries in 10-15 event competitions where one guy does 2-3 or more events. This way, the best FW guys from each country go head-to-head, the best stone-loader, etc. This involves a great deal more strategy, and allows you as an individual strongman to earn glory in your strengths, and share in the glory of other's strengths which may be your weaknesses.

Like I said, lots of good points. Pros need to be able to make a better living, and we have to go about making that possible any way we can.

[DaneGarreau]

If u guys think that Strongman can't get as big as basketball or sports then I think you are wrong, well sorta wrong.

Check out some international contest over in eastern europe. The IFSA World Team Strongman contest for example. At 2 o clock on a monday there are like 3 or 4 thousand people watching the contests. It is like this all over eastern europe, at a ton of contests.

How many people came to the mohegan sun this year? lots.

It is just a matter of time, with good promoting.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

-i see everybodys point regarding the physical appearance of bodybuilders vs. strongmen
and i agree that bodybuilding "types'-lean physiques-sell supplements and vitamins-i agree 100%- i know that-

the difference now is- after 24 years -there is an american worlds strongest man-which may appeal to corporate america-big corporate america-not just the supplement companies-not just the body building mags

-it is the possibility of going out side the box to sell the sport--
-to someone-to some company- wanting a strong image to sell their product-a strong image which is not necessarily a good body--
a strong image may mean a person of good character who also happens to be physically strong-just happens to be wsm
-getting sponsors or endorsement deals isn't--in the big picture-about being bodybuilder lean-

polish or scandanavian strongman-and lean muscular bodybuilding physiques-- would be of no interest to say harley davidson or S&S or Mack Trucks--
it is possible that an american-an american with a full time job -family-and is a fireman-could open some doors to such companies-

-it is a dfferent type of marketability and could/should open doors for other strongmen-

many midwesterners have actually hostile things to say about some one that looks like pudz or ronnie-i don't feel that way i was once 5'11,255,5%bodyfat-but having that look can actually be detrimental when talking to say the guy that handles advertising for Case/new holland or International harvester-
looking like a good ol boy AND winning WSM might not be such a bad angle-
-again-being american is the big issue -

-phil can be difficult to communicate with- if he chooses to be-or if he is in the zone

the old 'wolfman'person was flat scarey to be around--

or when talking about his real estate investments-?- he can sound like an investment banker-he is a better communicator than pudz or for that matter ronnie Coleman-

if phil is successful in parlaying this feat into some money-or sponsorship-or main stream press- i believe there will be a trickle down effect-

-hard to say what will happen-it has been 24 years since an american was at the top of wsm--
-it should be a positive for american strongmen

[Mac Smith]

If u guys think that Strongman can't get as big as basketball or sports then I think you are wrong, well sorta wrong.

Check out some international contest over in eastern europe. The IFSA World Team Strongman contest for example. At 2 o clock on a monday there are like 3 or 4 thousand people watching the contests. It is like this all over eastern europe, at a ton of contests.

How many people came to the mohegan sun this year? lots.

It is just a matter of time, with good promoting.


You can't compare the popularity of sports in other countries with the popularity of sports here in the STates. Look at soccer. It's the world's sport, but no matter how hard people try, it isn't successful here in the states.

[Mac Smith]

The day strongman becomes like football or basketball, I'm checking out. Not real likely however.


HHHHHmmmmmmmm, let's me think, multi-million dolllar contracts, million dollar endorsement deals, and millions of fans... yeah, that's nothing I want to be involved with. :B:

[DaneGarreau]

You can't compare the popularity of sports in other countries with the popularity of sports here in the STates. Look at soccer. It's the world's sport, but no matter how hard people try, it isn't successful here in the states.

I agree that soccer isn't as huge here as it is in other countries, but it is still a pretty large sport.

I'm not trying to say that Strongman is going to take over football anytime soon here in the US, but it does have the ability to get decently large.

[Brad Morris]

As a fan of this sport its interesting looking at some of the hurdles that need to be overcome to generate more interest and more money and support for competitors!

While team sports are often embraced by the public there are plenty of individual sports that command alot of money, such as Golf and Tennis. However both of these sports have a junior division that kids can start playing from an early age and anyone can play golf or tennis (not that everyone can play well or at an elite level, but its not hard to learn the basic skills and go from there).

Strongman does not have the luxury of juniors to call on, a lot of current pro's were good athletes in other fields before they came across to strongman. Not everyone can compete in strongman (I know thats part of the reason I like watching it) but some people can't relate to moving, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying the incredible loads that strongmen regularly lift in competitions. The freak factor can be a double edged sword attracting some fans and turning others away because they cannot relate to what is happening in front of them, and they have no appreciation for it!

I am a pro (semi pro I still work fulltime) MMA fighter and MMA has also felt the effects of the double edged sword of the freak factor. Some people were attracted to the sport because of the freaky violence associated with the sport, while others couldn't comprehend why someone would want to step into a cage with another person and try to belt the crap out of them.

I think both sports had a problem with their respective competitors not being seen as human, and if there is no connection with your audience you can't keep them as fans. MMA addressed this I think partly by accident. The concept of "The Ultimater Fighter" reality series made its competitors look human, you got to see the fears and anxieties, what the fighters went through in training and the veiwers developed on some level an appreciation of what was needed to fight. Then it wasn't just two crazy guys trying to belt each other. It was two guys that had trained hard sacrificed a lot and overcome big hurdles to be able to step into the cage and fight!

Another thing that mma did to help increase its fan base was come up with a team concept the IFL (International Fighting League) was created last year which pitted 5 fighters, fighting under a team banner, each from a different weight division against another team of 5 fighters from another team! They did not offer fighters the big money that some of the pro's in the UFC or Pride are on but they do offer a decent salary and a win bonus. So a fighter can train full time knowing he has money coming in each week and winning his fights and his team winning 3 or more of the 5 fights also gives him a bonus, thus encouraging teamwork. So far the concept has had a decent start its not about to overtake the UFC but the IFL is planning on having more teams and for guys like myself that are stilll working full time and training the possibilty of training and fighting full time is awesome!

MMA since the TUF series aired has boomed, it has recently outsold ppv's of wrestling and some states in America are santioning more mma matches than boxing matches for the first time ever! One of the internet sites I post on has gone from 27,000 members to nearly 65,000 in the last 2 years. I'm not saying that mma is mainstream but its out of the fringes and starting to attract more fans!

Back to Strongman, I realise strongman and mma are vastly different sports but perhaps strongman could take a few of the things mma has done recently and tweak them to suit strongman. Its a hard road ahead and attracting more competitors and fans is not going to be easy, but what strongman doesn't like a challenge.

But I think there will always be guys that are interested in watching strongman, like myself I think its a great sport and I marvel at what the pro's can do! Here in Australia I am looking at doing my first amatuer Strongman comp next year. One of the organisers recently posted on an australian site regarding roughly what we should be lifting before we even fill out the application form. He wanted a minimum powerlifting total of 600kg, (I just scrape in!) And I would imagine in the states the competition is at a far higher level than over here!

Anyway thats just my thoughts!

[Jeff Bach]

What a great thread. A lot of very good comments.

Really just getting the creativity going like this accomplishes a lot!

I think average people "are" getting into strongman. Most people seem to know what I am talking about when I tell them why my arms are bruised up.

The problems I think are two fold.

#1 is money. Takes more money to get recognition. Takes more recognition to get more money.
#2 is if it gets big will people make a big deal out of the "supplements". It it kind of wierd since it has happened in baseball but not in the NFL where more use.

I can't even try to answer number 2 but I have thoughts on #1.

It all goes back to Joe Weider. Though many didn't like him as he had the power, the man took an unknown sport and took it 100's of notches further. He and others did and do make money through winnings, promoting, support companies, etc.

Bottom line he was a genious at promoting. Probably had some funding too. Any body know?

So Phil winning WSM gave the sport in the US a BIG bump! The public relates to WSM not IFSA. Perseption is more important then reality to most.

In a sense what I think will take another Joe Weider to take Strongman further. I don't know who this person is I just hope that with more and more notoriety he or she will show up. We likely have not met the person yet.

My 2 cents.

[Eric Jett]

OK, I found an out for the "marketability" of some strongmen like Zydrunas:

Beer.

Think about it. It can appeal to people of similar builds to Savickas. "Hey, hes a little chubby, kinda like me, maybe I can be strong like him!"

[Anthony Cissell]

Maybe Strongman wont be as big in the states as we'd like it to be, but aren't all strength sports (Powerlifting, Olympic lifting, Strongman) really big in Europe? I could easily see them being huge in terms of prize money much like bodybuilding in foreign countries. What do you think it will take to generate more profit for strongman, better marketing? Perhaps taking Jesse to appear on a cover of a bodybuilding magazine :FF:

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

What a great thread. A lot of very good comments.

Really just getting the creativity going like this accomplishes a lot!






In a sense what I think will take another Joe Weider to take Strongman further. I don't know who this person is I just hope that with more and more notoriety he or she will show up. We likely have not met the person yet.

My 2 cents.

joe weider and vince Mcmahon-both brought money into activities often seen as junk sports

in the case of wrestling -sports entertainment

the best thing to happen for bodybuilders was when these two promotional groups(weider/mcmahon) went head to head in 1990
-mcmahon started the wbf-actually introduced the federation at an ifbb mr. olympia contest-(brilliant)--and hired tom platz to be his emissary
mcmahon signed up a dozen or so top pro bodybuilders to -(for the sport)--lucrative contracts-
weider reacted by signing the remaining athletes to lucrative contracts-even signed top amateur-paul dillet-not even a a pro yet to $3,000 a month-
-the wbf folded --the ifbb perservered--but the cat was out of the bag-and bodybuilders demanded big money to perform-
the ifsa vs. wsm may not be such a bad thing-?-although neither seem willing(able?) to throw big money at the athletes-

-the post by brad morris and MMA has got to get the wheel's turning- :marv:
-imagine a house-very large house-with phil pfister-jesse marunde-brian schoonveld-jon andersen-travis ortamayer-don pope-steve mcdonald-tom mcClure and a few other americans
add a couple of canadians and euros--all preparing for the same-made for tv contest- :cool: that would be some drama

[Travis Martino]

Soccer is just as entertaining as baseball, imo. The problem with soccer is that they never stop game play, except at the half. How are you supposed to fit commercials with no commercial breaks? That's why soccer won't ever become popular. It's too hard to market on tv.


You can't compare the popularity of sports in other countries with the popularity of sports here in the STates. Look at soccer. It's the world's sport, but no matter how hard people try, it isn't successful here in the states.

[DKirby]

Fat men (not saying that Phil is fat) can be VERY marketable IF they have the right personality and are pitching the right products. Ex- Remember back during the mid 80s when William "The Refigerator" Perry was doing all kinds of TV commercials. He was about 6'2" 350 to south of 400. I mean, look at all the products NASCAR drivers pitch, and none of them are built like bodybuilders. As WSM Phil could be pitching all kinds of products, esp blue collar/good ol boy stuff, considering his WV and firefighter background.

[Elliot_Storey]

I'm thinking Foreman grill.

[Jeff Bach]

-the wbf folded --the ifbb perservered--but the cat was out of the bag-and bodybuilders demanded big money to perform-
the ifsa vs. wsm may not be such a bad thing-?-although neither seem willing(able?) to throw big money at the athletes-

-the post by brad morris and MMA has got to get the wheel's turning- :marv:
-imagine a house-very large house-with phil pfister-jesse marunde-brian schoonveld-jon andersen-travis ortamayer-don pope-steve mcdonald-tom mcClure and a few other americans
add a couple of canadians and euros--all preparing for the same-made for tv contest- :cool: that would be some drama

I think I still have a sweatshirt from WBF. They wanted me to advertise in their magazine. I don't think it lasted long enough for me to do so.


They could pay these guys in food LOL

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

I think I still have a sweatshirt from WBF. They wanted me to advertise in their magazine. I don't think it lasted long enough for me to do so.


They could pay these guys in food LOL

i worked a trade show with "the undertaker" at the icopro booth-icopro was mcmahons supplement company-
-he stayed in character for the full time he was there-he didn't say much-

-i probably have some wbf and icopro gear too---
-stored with my wide striped spandex and brightly colored baggies :eek:

[Tony Moses]

I just wanted to say I agree with the 'outside the box' marketing opportunities.....Strongman is hard work and physical performance, if you happen to have a good physique, it is an added bonus, but it is not a requirement for success. The only marketing opportunities DON'T need to be supplement companies.....Like people said, John Deere, Mack Trucks, Ford, General Motors, Insurance Companies, Supermarkets, The Restaurant Industry, etc etc the list goes on and on with legit, big money areas, actually much bigger than the supplement industry.....you could market the sport to people who don't want to see half naked men with waxed bodies, but would rather punch half naked men with waxed bodies in the face, lol. I just never bought the physique thing as a main selling point for someone.....look at the WWE nowadays, loaded with BB type physiques and most of them don't have an ounce of charisma.........to me, a guy like Pfister exemplifies effort and power of will, just go back to his promise several years back and the look of determination on his face in the WSM pics, to me at least, that would sell a product more so than a guy who didn't eat a carb for 2 months and shaved his chest for a homo-erotic supplement ad in a bodybuilding rag.

In fact, looking beyond supplement companies for sponsorship could grow the sport....while bodybuilding is 'bigger' than strongman in terms of cult followings, it is stil la cult sport (and I do not think BB is a sport, but called it one for lack of a better word).

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

you could market the sport to people who don't want to see half naked men with waxed bodies, but would rather punch half naked men with waxed bodies in the face, lol.
funniest line i've read in a long time---hilarious---but likely a very big market segment

[Patrick McGuffin]

I can see it now )()(whises off into a waynes world like dream segment)()(thats the wavyness taking effect) There is a young- handsome looking man with all the features of brad pitt running along the beach, splashing through the tide, with nothing but a speedo on in order to reveal his six pack and all that Jazz , cut to a few different gay looking shots of him running along looking at the camera all seductive and like and as soon as he gets within a yard or two of the camera a big phister sized fist flies from out of the shot and knocks the guy out of the shot (quite forcefully), then the camera pans over to reveal phil with a big grin on his face, with his name and title "wsm" in the corner so people know wh he is. Then cut to a title screen saying something along the lines of "Be a real man, choose (name of product)"

[Eric Jett]

I can see it now )()(whises off into a waynes world like dream segment)()(thats the wavyness taking effect) There is a young- handsome looking man with all the features of brad pitt running along the beach, splashing through the tide, with nothing but a speedo on in order to reveal his six pack and all that Jazz , cut to a few different gay looking shots of him running along looking at the camera all seductive and like and as soon as he gets within a yard or two of the camera a big phister sized fist flies from out of the shot and knocks the guy out of the shot (quite forcefully), then the camera pans over to reveal phil with a big grin on his face, with his name and title "wsm" in the corner so people know wh he is. Then cut to a title screen saying something along the lines of "Be a real man, choose (name of product)"

Would be an excellent commercial. truly one of the funniest we would ever see in our lifetimes. that deserves rep points.

[Tony Moses]

Strongmen would be good to market those Hungry Man frozen dinners.....or Right Guard Deoderant, now that I think of it.

[Patrick McGuffin]

I was thinking hungryman when I thought of that, they have had a lot of commercials like that before.

[Paul F.X. Armstrong]

can't prove it---- but if you had googled "Polish Man wins Worlds Strongest Man 2005"or "Pudzianoski wins Worlds Strongest Man 2005" last year?
it would not show up at as many news agencies-

google today: "fire Fighter wins Worlds Strongest man 2006" or "American Wins Worlds Strongest Man 2006"--and you get a lot of hits

we googled it and the pfister story was publicized at a lot of main stream news agencies-same rehashed story but some papers re-wrote it and some included photos

-one story announced his weight at 230#

you'll have that :confused:


it seems to be fairly well publicized-more so than if an athlete from another country won it-- :IMHO:

all good for the sport of strongman

[Tony Moses]

230lbs?? lol, maybe they meant when he was 12 years old.