"I don't trust them, they don't trust us..." - The rocky history of Feld Entertainment and MX Sports

In 2023 for the first time the AMA Supercross Championship featured the SMX Playoff Series with millions of dollars being paid out to the riders in prize money. This was a direct result of the coming together of the two entities at the top of Motocross and Supercross. Fled Entertainment and MX Sports.
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With the 2024 AMA Supercross season only days away, are we in for the best season ever? Or will it come down to just a handful of winners like it always does? Supercross commentator Jason Weigandt weighs in...
Jason Weigandt is for me the voice of Motocross. For 2024 he finally gets his chance to step into the booth during Supercross, and it makes an epic season just that touch bit sweeter. I planned to get a lot into Weige's back story, tell some stories from his 20+ year career, but that is going to have to wait for the next one! We spent 4 hours solving all of the real and imaginary problems of Supercross and it was unreal.
Before we get into this episode though, I wanted to share with you some awesome news regarding our first ever race, the Gypsy Tales 500.
Vurbmoto and Gypsy Tales are putting on an 8hr Grand Prix style event in Mesquite, NV. Using one of Gypsy’s favorite events, Australia’s Transmoto series, as inspiration, this will be an 8hr team or solo (for the Savages) race with your boys (or girls). The course will consist of a tamed down moto track and off-road loop, averaging 20 min lap times. The goal? Have fun, kick some beers and race your buddies. It’s worth noting this is a 125cc and Up race, no mini bikes allowed.
As far as the course goes, it will be part moto, part off-road - Sunday’s loop will be a unique course with an average lap time of 20 minutes. The loop will include terrain for the average rider along with a tamed down motocross track with no mandatory jumps. Again, this is a vibe race and will be built for all rider disciplines.
For more information head to vurbmoto.com/gypsy500/
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[@dustedstar5158]

125 2 strokes! the jnr class...

[@christopherterheyden9583]

My ears perked up when I heard 2 strokes. Who doesn't love the smell and sound of a 2 stroke? 🙏🙏🙏

[@dylanmoore6146]

Right, if they’re not competitive somehow, no R&D will come back and no rider with a chance at making a career would hop on one. Getting them in competition again is the answer if anything

[@datapusher-]

2 strokes for the win!

[@moto3463]

Bring back 2 strokes Feld.

[@fasst45072]

Privateers should have their own class with a race during the night show, 2 Strokes only😊

[@clytriftg]

Don’t shoot the messenger, but you’ll see electric SX before a 2 stroke class (which will never happen)

[@denniswilder3014]

Then how do they prove they are carching the factory riders and deserve a ride

[@OGLD]

Put the 2 smokes in the show! 150s and 300s

[@SLAYJUCE]

my experience with the motorcycle industry was pretty whack haha when you realize your dream life is actually run by deekheads the dream fades

[@gpaull2]

The World Supercross Series being serious competition is the ONLY reason they finally got their 💩 together.

[@scottdolphin5803]

100%

[@keelangerken5154]

Can we petition Weege to become the CEO of dirt bikes?

[@Eric_412]

I get it that Jase would do research before each episode but man his encyclopedic knowledge blows me away.. This episode with Jason Weigandt was so interesting…whilst he would have a fair insight on “how the MX sausage is made” Jase Mac definitely knows the ingredients.. Was a super interesting episode.. 👍👍

[@dmelson7502]

Damn did I miss something last year when I sat out watching the races after getting screwed by mavtv the year before? I'm sure the world of motocross was rocked by my decision to not stream last year.

[@billself354]

When I here playoffs my eyes roll involuntarily. We live in a fake world now and super duper supercross doesn’t want to be left out.

[@SLAYJUCE]

hear*

[@xlankex]

I agree 100%. I hate the playoff concept.

[@kylemccallie5864]

Exactly, they're not 3 playoff races. It's a separate 3 race championship.

[@xxxxxxxxxxxx_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

@@kylemccallie5864 Playoffs is a great marketing term that will draw in viewers who never watch the sport. Its a win for everyone.

[@maverick2242]

Id say the production rule after 85 was the most radical move! Also the 125 class east west now known as the 250 class! Then the 4t change 3 of the most radical, I still hate all 3, but I have learnt to live with it! I actually liked the SMX update as that was needed. Id still like to see 250 riders move up by age 25 latest. No vets in 250s! To do this, they should have a incentive bonus or per race earning for all, less in the 250 class and bigger potential earnjngs per race including the SMX finals like they did last year twice the amount, it needs to filter down for all rounds including the privateers! I personally dont want to see a full round series for 250s in SX, SX was and always should be about the premier class it was a key reason why SX ws invented to get all the top riders from each MX class to race each other, hence a premier class! Outdoors is and always will be different! I never understood why we try to make all things the same! You are either good enough or not if not race ArenaCross! Where Vince Friese belongs! For example.

[@someoneyouknow96]

How about you re evaluate the 2 stroke vs 4 stroke debate. The numbers were flawed back then and now it’s worse.

[@Stroopwaffe1]

I gave up mx when i went upi nto the seniors, didn't like jumping onto a year old Rm 125 after 3 years on kx100s, I actually mourned that loss big time. So gave up in 92 and ignored the sport because i had raced since i was 9 and had to titally cut myself off for my sanity, till December lasy year. Boy we won the MXdn in 95 (GB) yessssssssss! ! ! ! Seriously 4 strokes WTAF!!!!!!????????!!!!?!?!??????! FANNIES. JMB WAS THE BEST EVER PERIOD.

[@jarredtremain4644]

I think biggest examples in past were 1= 500cc 2strokes got cancelled. 2= 450 4strokes were allowed to race against 250 2strokes which has changed name now too 450 class and 2strokes are gone. Bring them back in own classes have 4strokes, 2strokes and electric bikes all have own

[@jimbo4203]

Bring back works bikes ! Bring back the Open class ! Let 2 strokes , 4 strokes and electric all race together and let the fans pick what they like best 😊

[@ejshultz]

Supercross and Motocross will be happy with SMX so long as the revenue and attendance continues to climb. These organizers are competing for the pocket money of the same consumers, I always thought that was where the disconnect between the two happens. Our economy is facing another liquidity crisis, we will see how sx/mx get along if they start seeing reduced crowds or revenue. I feel like the media side is getting better and better but the actual events aren't evolving at the same pace or innovating other than the effect social media has had to amplify the rider's personalities and draw more interest that way.

[@traileater]

Wow I didnt know it was that bad between all those parties. Weeeeege!

[@noonespecial1217]

Covid tossed a 12” hard bone

[@motofunk1]

This sport has a 50 year history and has not changed too much during that time. That's a good thing and probably the reason it has survived this long. Attempts to make it into something else will only kill the sport. The last thing this sport needs are more "Fans". Look at the things that have not changed and you will find how and why this sport has been passed now to it's 4th generation of participants. Supercross began as a grassroots effort by those participating in the sport to share motocross with more people in the hopes they would then go out and ride, not to build a TV audience to make money. The beauty of the sport was that anyone could participate. Show up at the race, qualify by being fast enough, and you got your shot. At some point the TV side gained control of the broadcasting rights. The level of disagreement between the 3 parties in the video above is good, when they start agreeing and changing things is when the sport starts to fail. An example of this was the change to the 4 stroke rules. That rule change has driven up the costs to the amateur's and families of the sport dramatically, essentially decreasing the amount of participants in the sport. The only thing this sport should try to change is to get more families into it just like it was in the first 25 years of the sport. Get the kids outside riding dirt bikes. Broadcast the full KTM Juniors race, every single race. Get kids to try all the other offroad two wheel disciplines. Ramping the TV audience should be a byproduct of growth in the rest of the sport not the primary goal.

[@dustin9035]

Let’s see how the next interview goes with his hands tied down to the table.

[@buddyholly182]

Down with the 2strokes

[@normandbaillargeon2214]

Do you think Jason drank the koolaid

[@juicenot2481]

I thought he was the supercross announcer? or was that a January fools joke?

[@LilSebastian_]

The teams hold all the power, the factory teams. They can race without feld, feld can’t hold a race without them. Feld is fucking the fans by nickle and dime’ing us. The playoff races are a joke. The supercross and motocross title are all that matter.

[@dargneljackson]

weLL jason just tried to make it sound Like the supercross winner aLways got a miLLion bucks but when did that start , jeremy, what about the rest of the riders payments¿ How can feLd pay anybody with 26k fans in the rain? Furthermore , did sexton win a miLLion for sx before the pLayoffs where jett won a miLLion¿ Jason is the face of the series with 7 jobs whiLe davey fingers fiLes for 450 werdz per week. Pay me

[@LilSebastian_]

The money comes from sponsors… not from Feld directly. That’s how…

[@dargneljackson]

probabLy sure that the monster women couLd earn a higHer roi whiLe Leaving fans soaking wet to a Larger audience of infLuencabiLity thru another trend

[@dargneljackson]

of course feLd aint coming off of their money , @@LilSebastian_

[@stevestiffler9120]

I’m sick of the factory guys who don’t need advantages having all the advantages. Let privateers race 250 2 strokes in the 250 class. And make factory riders race stock bikes, slow it down and even the playing field

[@thedude7726]

Can we please keep moto built for real men and keep these soy boys out? Come on guys

[@infidelmat]

Wtf you talking about lol

[@majinstavros]

2 strokes rule..hate these 4 strokes..I'd never buy one

[@adamwelsh5744]

👍

[@scottb9868]

Nothing but a spines yes man. Lost all respect for this guy after he bold face lied about the deegan bike controversy at Loretta’s.