I am not talking about just the top men/women or trying to compare a pro triathlete’s compensation to that of the average NFL special teamer or an NBA waterboy but why is it so hard for a decent pro to make a reasonable living? I don’t know what an average pro triathlete makes but it doesn’t sound like much. Pro runners, cyclists and swimmers seem to do much better and few of those sports are TV friendly so the minimal TV contracts can’t be the only reason. Tris aren’t spectator friendly but neither are marathons or cycling races.
Any thoughts on the cause or how this could improve?
The prize purse for most races is pretty slim. Even when they win, they don’t win much. Are running, cycling, etc more popular with non-participants and thereby attract a larger audience? Is it simply race sponsorship? If so, do you expect that as tri grows in popularity that the money will naturally follow?
FWIW, my only ‘agenda’ behind this thread is curiosity and finding a way for The Sergio et al to afford decent furniture (or any furniture for that matter).
Because Triathlon is still a participant sport, not a spectator sport. If and when it becomes a spectator sport, large money sponsorship, licensing fees will follow. Until then, the sport only appeals to those involved, which is a very limited market. For the most part sponsorship comes from suppliers to the sport, most of whom do not have big marketing budgets.
Don’t European Pros make more money than NA Pros? Is this be because there is more spectator interest over there? Sponsorships come from large general interest companies, banks, beer, food stores, etc.
I think it’s more the sponsorships than the race money. In terms of marketing exposure, there is little comparison between cycling and triathlon. Most everyone on this forum is familiar with names like Phonak, CSC, etc. In cycling you race as a corporate team under the team’s name. But, ask people what it says on Al-Sultan’s or Badmann’s outfit and you’ll get a lot more “I don’t knows.” Lots of recreational cyclists wear garb from Discovery Channel or Postal or CSC, etc. How many recreational triathletes wear Tri-Dubai stuff?
swimming is not really a sport where you make money, at least not in the pool. Long distance swimming (open water, e.g 35km, 80km, etc.) is another story. Of course there are some (pool) swimmers that made some money with advertisements but they sure don’t make the money swimming in the pool.
edit: and I think triathlon is in the process of handing out much more money to the pro winners. that at least seems to be the trend as long as WTC is not involved and gets their hands on the money…
national level athletes tend to do much better in countries other than the US. There are many “pro” swimmers outside the US, but essentially none within the US.
Triathlon hasn’t been olympic for long but I think that will bring more money to the sport, gold medals and countries spending tax money tends to do that. Tri just needs a couple more medals.
Actually, the exact opposite of that is true. There are plenty of pool swimmers who can make a living of it. Phelps, Lotche, Piersol… those guys have signed big time deals. There are literally “0” open water swimmers who can make a living of it in the US. If there was money in open water swimming, then maybe I’d be able to get an agent to return my phone calls.
Aussie swimmers make a VERY good living.
The PanPacs, Worlds, Olympics, quals for these events are all shown on TV during prime time (channel 7 in QLD if I remember well)…
I was just going to respond similarly. Pool swimmers get a huge boost every four years due to the Olympics…swimming always gets a ton of prime-time TV coverage.
There is no reason why pro’s cannot work to make a living if they are not making any money at the races. Once they get fast enough to support themselves with tri money then they could quit their job (if they want). Check out the video of Sam Warriner in regards to working and racing…serious work ethic, devotion to the sport etc. etc.
Triathlon in New Zealand is a spectator sport. The 2003 ITU worlds were televised Nationwide. They have serious sponsorship money available for their athletes.
In the US, most pro races pay 5 deep. Normally there are half the number of women as men. Most US ITU races have at least 45-50 men competing for those 5 prize money slots.
But I would bet that only about 20-30 of them make enough to not have to work at least part-time.
There are ways to make ‘enough’ money in triathlon as a pro, you just have to be creative, make contacts and be patient. I doubt many (other than Kona winners) ever become rich off of contracts / winnings but there’s enough, and it’s growing, out there to draw an income that will allow them to train full-time.
I have to agree with Tom, there’s no reason why a pro triathlete can’t work at least part-time and still train. In fact, I would say that it’s an advantage for them to work, so that when their athletic career ends they have something to put on their resume, other than ‘Pro-Triathlete’.
if they are doing motivational speeches and coaching swim clinics, they’re not ‘just’ swimming…my point is that only a very small number can get away with doing nothing by training and racing. Everyone else has to do something else to supplement their income, some are successful enough in races and have enough ‘fame’ to do this in swim-related endeavors (i.e. swim clinics, etc…as you mentioned). Everyone else needs a PT/FT job, etc.
by contrast…there are approx. 1600 NFL football players. Average salary $1M.
You missed the point completely. I was saying you can work and race at an elite level rather than living in poverty, and Sam is a very good example of this.
I agree with the work part time thing. I was just saying that Sam Warriner is not a good example. She is the extreme (EXTREMELY talented and from the right area of the world).
As far as swimmers go, Phelps, Lochte, Peirsol, Hanson, Crocker, Beard, Sandeno, Hall, Moses, Cullen Jones, Torres, etc all make MORE than $200K year in swim related contracts only.