How Supercross Riders Can Make More Money | How to Make Even LCQ Riders More Financially Successful

While Supercross is a growing sport in the United States, riders do not have the publicity and fame of other athletes that allow them to make ridiculously high pay checks. While some riders are bringing in the cash, this episode of GDN looks at three ways that Supercross can make more money as a whole, which will hopefully benefit every rider on the gate.

[@benwelsh9293]

Id love to see a group of the supercross vlogers get together and make a supercross tv series for Netflix like drive to survive or even the cheerleader one called cheer. Focus on the thrills and spills of supercross and how dangerous and dramatic it can be. Follow a few key riders for the full season and show all the heart ache and pain they go through. Drive to survive has dragged millions of fans into F1

[@damonforrest1570]

I’m trying my butt off to try it again by again. That idea about getting together making a TV series would be so awesome. I would love it so much to be able to get my name in the face out there to be known. Are used to race when I was younger and ever since then I’ve just been watching and studying technics different riders because I’m 17 since I race back in the 90s. CR 125 is the last time I raced 1991. Being away from Moto for all these years has sucked more than anything.

[@jnature6586]

Good video I often wish a third party would start a supercross/outdoors series that pays the riders substantially more and skips all the BS. Could be so much better

[@brooksy2093]

SX World Series is about to become a realisation with good pay checks & open endorsements but not for the privateer unfortunately

[@christhomas2644]

The jersey idea is brilliant and I don't know why it hasn't been done before. In 1996 fox did McGrath signature caps and they were hugely popular you don't really see that anymore

[@BP45167]

The new world supercross series starting this year will address a lot of issues… have a listen to the Gypsy tales pod cast for more details 🤘

[@damonforrest1570]

I loved every idea you came up with in this conversation. Because it’s true that fans just don’t have any idea on how cool some things can be. The jerseys the track walks.🤙

[@brooksy2093]

Nailed it, it’s always been about the racers more so than the brand. Look at Jett Lawrence, his family & agent are on it with branding Jett & his own clothing line & donut business. Even with AMA/FELD or who ever runs it now taking a percentage would still benefit both parties 10 fold.

[@rylankohler1268]

Great video, we need supercross to grow!

[@Peanutdenver]

All great points dude. Even as a local A rider I hate to think back on all the money I've spent in comparison to winning. Even back to minis, all the coin my parents dropped every year was crazy, not including trips to Ponca City and LL. We're in the whole as soon we race out first moto unless you're born a rich kid. Jersey's, hats and gear in general is a great idea. Whether it's just for a fan or all the kids who'd love to strap on ET3 Daytona gear or the military themed gear for San Diego...it would sell like Girl Scout cookies in front of Ralph's.

[@biohazardkarl]

A good idea that would earn the crews and riders even more money would be to allow them to sell further merch. Everything from Toys to, hell, maybe even allow free entry to the pits once a race is done. In Speedway (Flat track dirtbikes) they usually allowed this to let fans talk to their favourite riders, get an autograph after the race if the rider have time and it usually puts the rider in a very good mood too. Seeing that the fans are still there, even if the rider's performance was bad per-say, they still have their fans who will come and say hi. I've seen it manytimes that for the next race, they will usually get that feeling as aboost to do better. And it creates a more up close relationship with the fans. If Supercross wants to earn an extra buck from this, add a 20 or so to the bill and there ya go. Or if they get really smart. Team graphics kits for all dirtbikes and sizes. Wouldn't that be cool? To have a look alike ride as your favourite rider? Just to have a complete look alike graphics kit for 50's to 450's would be so cool. I know there are look alikes out there but if it comes with the official numbers of your rider or simply just blank number plates. It would still look really cool out on the track.

[@human1513]

Nice ideas. But your suggested prices of jerseys and shirts is way to high.

[@TheMotoAftermathShow]

What do you mean? How much do you think a “professional” sports jersey cost?

[@adamchase14]

You're wrong about the numbers, but you have a good idea, everything else is spot on IMO. Great video!

[@caloulmanganou]

Man good job ! I thought i was the only the wondering why on hearth we can't buy replica jersey of your favourite rider. Would definetly buy several !

[@ryanbarker4422]

Numbers are your place in the national line up. So there in subject to change.

[@adam248]

Man MXGP guys need to see this video

[@eric6rock]

i agree with the jerseys as yes the logos get embedded they should at least make limited runs with the jerseys and only sell them at the races even if its limited edition or "Factory guys only" i hate how Alpinestars does the gear change in the public releases yes it still retains the same look but the logos are off and not the same style as shown that factory guys wear. with the current rise of Jett Lawerence and Haiden Deegan the sport will become big as they know how to appeal on Social Media which they are utilizing very well. still this sport is going to have the core audience.

[@jinnij.caiman]

I love this video and these ideas the amount of money smx and mx can make is only limited by themselves so are so many avenues that can be taken for these guys to make money. It’s a shame big brother or big names always get the best of the little guy.

[@jpesicka999]

KZbin channel is the key.

[@lawrencefranck9417]

All types of racing has never been a poor man’s sport. Rich parents or friends or community to support the small guy. The riders can do jersey sales on their own.

[@4Him4u2]

I agree with all points. However, the purse needs to increase further down the ranks. Let’s face it, Feld or somebody, earns the purse money in one commercial break on tv. The subscriptions necessary to see the races is crazy expensive. The privateers deserve a much larger piece of the pie.

[@DragonFury-gq5zo]

They need to bring in rider merch such just like they have in the F1. Have a Jett Lawrence hrc hat with his number on it or shirts

[@HarborEdwin]

You are correct.

[@rickguthrie2287]

I like everything you pointed out. What about changing the format of the races or market the races more on TV, radio and dealerships around the whole. You never hear about the races unless it Daytona bike week. Dealerships are not even posting anything about the races and never hear anything on the radio. That's why Joe Gibbs pulled out of the sport. It was not marketing right and losing money. Remember, this is a Business. As far as the format of the races: Maybe look into adding a 20 race schedule. Daytona has a bike feast in October that would be great for the Florida base fans. Change up the schedule every year and start the season from Westcoast to Eastcoast. At Miami stadium, New York stadium and 2 more places. Let outside sponsors like Beer, Walmarts, Targets, subways, and even what the riders use to clean up. Soaps and what Sneakers they own.

[@mrabrasive51]

1978 superbowl of motocross total purse was $32k..now the total purses are only $60-65k..all 5he riders should be selling merchandise at the races,websites,facebook,Twitter etc..

[@mikelyons2831]

Good point regarding #s. Sprint car fans by T's, Hoodies & Jackets of their favorite drivers. Our guys need to stop going for low #s also. There are too few 199, 94, 51, 41 (Trey Canard) lifetime guys in our sport, they all want single digits. The auto-racing guys/teams are confident/not insecure with 57, 79, 44, etc.. Purse $, don't get me started. Look at World of Outlaw sprint car purses, at tracks with 10,000 max capacity seating.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

As someone who is involved in Sprint Car racing, if you think anyone makes any money racing Sprint Cars except the very top guys, you're totally wrong lol. It's almost exactly the same as motocross in that regard. A handful of the guys at the very top make all the money, everyone else has to work during the week to afford to go racing on the weekends. Racing in any capacity is not a money making endeavor except for the top 1%.

[@mikelyons2831]

@@djjazzyjeff1232 Ya, my local tracks will get a couple thousand folks in the stands, sometimes more for a USAC national, then 5k-10 for a WoO race. My point was the 25-30k fans at an MX Nat.@ $40 a ticket (do the math) vs payout to riders that drive 500mi. for a single shot at $. Some Sprint & Late model guys can race 3x a week in 500 total miles...just saying

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@mikelyons2831 Yeah I get it, but then you got the King's Royal and Knoxville Nationals and stuff where they have as many or more fans than an MX national too. The two sports are very comparable in size, except what Moto has going for it that Sprint Car racing does not is TV and media exposure. It used to be there on the Speed channel back in the day, but like on NBC Sports? Never. Tod Quiring has single-handedly grown the sport of Sprint Car Racing in the last couple years, but at the cost of 10s of Millions of dollars. I just don't see those type of dudes in Moto shelling out that kind of money. Maybe they're there, but I haven't seen it.

[@sebastjanbahur7416]

i agree it will be much better

[@jasonharden2732]

i wonder if deegan will change numbers when he goes pro ?

[@leift70]

Yes.

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

Not to mention entry fee - I think 500 a race

[@gdnproductions5727]

I had that in but cut it for time, entry fee practically kills any chance for profit, especially for the guys towards the bottom. Other sports have this, but it’s usually covered by the teams. Gotta find a way around that. Feld/AMA can’t possibly be making that much from entry fees in the grand scheme of things

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

@@gdnproductions5727 Makes no sense there is an entry fee... Nice video, some form of profit sharing like the main sports do where a percentage is allocated to the purse is needed IMHO

[@TheMotoAftermathShow]

Entry fee is $275-$375 plus pit passes for crew for privateers only 🤦🏻‍♂️ promoters are the issue, new “World Supercross” address’s a lot of these issues and will probably change the face of the sport

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

@@TheMotoAftermathShow Not if it wont garner OEM support....

[@Will-lc1eq]

The 250 guys have to change them because of the west coast and east coast

[@timbjork2098]

right I would love to have replica jerseys, I got a 330 signed AJ jersey. I love to have a sexton, tomac jersey and so on jersey like everyone that has nfl number jersey for watching the game.

[@handyhands2451]

it's all about the AMA, not the riders. They took away go pro. Factory riders bikes are so not even close to privateers. privateers need their own separate races.. Needs new organizers and ama needs to pack their bags. Plus make rules to where people get suspended for taking people out on purpose. Even though it's fun for the kids to watch. it's not true racing. AMA makes the rules it seems, but all to benefit them only. The Jersey idea is a good one,but I'm sure the AMA will dip in or stop anything from benefiting the riders. The privateers need more support and AMA needs to go is what it comes down too. Either that or new management for the AMA.

[@johnberry2877]

And unlike the NFL, the athletes are in far superior physical condition !

[@brianschafer3762]

It’s my understanding Feld won’t allow the riders to market their own merchandise at the races. So I don’t think the rider’s are not aware of of making money with their own name as in NASCAR it’s Felds own greed not allowing the riders to take advantage of using their own name to help finance their racing.

[@gdnproductions5727]

You’re totally right, I was trying to explain that Feld needs to update this old policy. That’s what I was trying to get at that, but I think I edited it out 😂

[@brianschafer3762]

@@gdnproductions5727 glad you are getting that message out there people need to know and support the riders. Good video keep up the good work and you got a new subscriber today 👍

[@brianschafer3762]

Let me add I’ve been to two races in person this year and tv does not show how difficult the tracks are and how FAST the riders are! They are so perfect on putting the bike in exact spots and if they miss the consequences are big!

[@peterwiggins8337]

Great Video.... you have good ideas.....

[@tomvanloon3618]

Shirts and permanent numbers aren't gonna help the guy in 20th position in my opinion. Not direct enough anyway. I was that guy. A little fish in the big pond. To make money from racing i when to a smaller pond and be the bigger fish. My experience is that everybody loves the winner. The brands, the sponsors, the fans...it's the promoters obligation to make sure the gates are full and therefore make the sport interesting for these guys that give the show some credit, they are making the top guys look amazing. Only 10 guys aren't making it a product to sell.

[@terryfonz4603]

We need to see the numbers! Feld is a circus company I know cost is high dirt worx is expensive cost but I believe there’s more there to pay the athletes each week! Feld is milking it! Like when you qualify you get a check just like golf or stock car racing or literally every other form of racing!

[@jackduggan392]

Does the Coombs family pretty much not own everything associated with both series? Not knocking them they've gotten things this far but wouldn't more money come in if others had a stake in the sport. Who knows maybe even some profit sharing with the riders and not on a sliding scale. An insurance plan for those that make the gate would be an incentive and a bonus for all. $12k for a main event win is very very weak in comparison to other pro sports where as a baseball player can earn way more than that each time a bat with less chance of injury. The tracks are somewhat boring. Perhaps get more creative with the track building and integrate the track in and around the spectators. New marketing ideas are needed bad. In short MX/SX needs to be made main stream, and stop it with buying subscriptions to watch. That chased me away. I'm down to watching the 2 minute highlight clips and Jonny hopper for crying out loud.

[@davidthomas9759]

We have war in Europe and Americans watch this

[@fliarshypocritestothebones5698]

You have war in europe between europeans, and europeans watch what americans watch.. david of my two, stupid hypocrite from the bones, you have nothing to do in your stupid life than posting stupidities on YT? you need attention? for what? you are an uninteresting moron

[@fliarshypocritestothebones5698]

And did you know that hundreds of millions europeans watch hundreds of soccer games since the beginning of that ukrainian invasion? their are all into the world cup qualifications and champions league things, 99% of them don't care about those killings of civilians in ukraine, so stop your BS by diabolize the Americans, and for you info I am not an American, just tired of moronic people like you, for moron like you all problems in the world is the fault of the U.S.A, learn about history, before the creation of the U.S, the europeans were at war with each other for millennial already

[@fliarshypocritestothebones5698]

david thomas: "We have war in Europe and Americans watch this" When the parents of little david work hard to meet his needs, little david post hundreds of stupid post by day on YT, then watch porn & wank, then lies to girls on internet, then eat, play video games, sleep, shit, and be back on posting on YT again

[@Dickweed]

I'd much rather watch this than see footage of a war that I have no involvement in😂

[@davidcooper4385]

WHY IS OUR FREAKIN GOVERMENT SENDING MONEY TO UKRAINE YET NOT HELP AMERICANS WHO ARE HOMELESS HELLO,WE NEED NOT THINK ABOUT EUROPE EVERY DAY. HELLO.