Should Fans know what Supercross Riders get Paid??

We are back for another episode of the podcast and my guest today is none other than Levi Kitchen. Levi is currently in the middle of his breakout season as a professional Motocross and Supercross rider. He narrowly missed out on this years 250 West Coast title in a decided at Salt Lake and is now in the thick of the AMA Motocross Championship against longtime rival Haiden Deegan.
On this episode of the podcast we talk about his love of all things fishing, his unique upbringing by typical motocross standards, his life in Washington, taking racing seriously, his early years at Star Yamaha, leaving for Pro Circuit Kawasaki, we talk about money in the sport and his golf swing.
Levi is an extremely cool guy to hang out with and I really wanted to spend a few hours. I think that really comes across in this conversation.
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[@lukefish7562]

For risking their life with every ride and creating some amazing entertainment they don’t get enough.

[@Boots2Bike]

More fans equals money. Just gotta keep growing the sport

[@jankie55]

They deserve what they get, and it's a great living, riding amazing bikes. If they grow the sport and their own following they make a lot more. Deegan probably makes just as much off the bike as he does on, and he's bringing a lot of eyes to the sport which helps all riders. Same for Jett.

[@jpslaym0936]

You shouldnt assess based on very top rider makes, it should be on average of those in the series because they all take the same very high risks to their life and health every race and even during practices Think about how much another dangerous sport American Football make.

[@Boots2Bike]

@@jpslaym0936 you can't compare American football. It's not about danger. American football is bringing in billions and billions of dollars of revenue. That's why the players are paid more. You can't pull money off the trees. As the sport continues to grow salaries will too

[@andrewspratley6548]

@@jpslaym0936That’s not how you would compare this at all. That’s actually one of the worst takes I’ve heard, respectfully.

[@johnkendall7186]

He should totally get Fabio to come to an outdoor race. Shirt off, hair blowing in the wind. Classic

[@mixmaster5263]

😂

[@laafawnduh]

Totally agree. The storyline would be heightened/more exciting if we knew how much was on the line.

[@ybaha1995]

Levi wants his privacy but I think Jase's take on adding to people's interest is 100% spot on!

[@dieselhrt5492]

It’s public knowledge in every other sport.

[@kurtheidelbach]

Not every sport only ones with player unions really

[@dieselhrt5492]

@@kurtheidelbach Unions aren’t why sports release contract info. Primarily they do it bc people are gambling, which is also why injuries are reported. If the unions had their way none of that info would be made public.

[@kurtheidelbach]

@@dieselhrt5492 😂😂🤦🏻‍♂No it’s not moron! That’s injury reporting

[@donnyokeefe3098]

Yes we should be aware of the numbers

[@denniswilder3014]

Why?

[@shnboardman1]

Fantastic show, I look at Levi a different way, never expected him to be so cool and laid back

[@mxlarge6915]

Another brilliant interview. With US media so saturated, finally somebody is doing this type of stuff. Jase is the only guy doing this. Why is that?

[@Smilesmd35]

I love that his treat used to be a pair of vans, it’s simple. When people make a lot of money they get nicer things, then usually have to keep making more money to afford those things. Sometimes the simple stuff you buy when your living alone and young, is what shapes you.

[@KurtBarner]

Fabio rides Dirt bikes. There was an ad in magazines that showed him kicking back in a lawn chair, while hot babe washes his KTM. Epic.

[@korey6729]

So many kids try and archive your level. You've done it and congrates.

[@korey6729]

speaking on the fishing.... two wheel therapy and fishing are similar for some.

[@PineyLGT805]

Love the cast! Accountant here... vehicle has to be for business use unfortunately to fully depreciate in the first year. Also, deducting a RR for either personal or business use would get flagged for audit eventually so highly doubt Jett's accountant advised him to do so. You'd need a pretty decent reason why you need a RR for business use and being a MXer is prolly not one of them 😂 I could see an MXer fully depreciating a toterhome first year and related expenses going to the track as that is how he generates his income

[@joshhartwig1266]

The minute I heard that I knew it was bullshit.

[@jterbush1]

I feel like your image and brand are part of the business and having a RR is contributing to that image, would definitely be able to write it off that way.

[@sonnyl5903]

Hey;; Love your post's . As for your wanting to let people see what riders are making is a good thing. But the manufactures might not want to let the public know. I think it would make more people want to do it. The only bad thing is the expense for family's to get there. There would have be a lot more sponsors help.

[@tideoneon6358]

Only problem with putting your kid into the sport with the aspirations of them making a good living is they have a better chance of getting on a NFL roster than a factory ride. Every rider on that track should be getting paid. Obviously not as much as the top guys but they should be making something, I understand more fans equals more money so I’d love to see the sport grow enough to pay everyone

[@lindencroser8058]

Such a greatful humble kid.... Better than cry baby hero deegan

[@rassy7]

For real thought the image said Riders Earrings.

[@shaneWARs1]

It's strange I've been a fan sense the 80s and we never really new I would love to no what the riders make per race, like golf have a money leader it would also show who is most consistent.

[@Heavyequipment44]

Gypsy a Cullinan is a 100% right off, my truck is 8800 and 100 percent write off…the weight you need to hit is 6000 lbs…

[@jasonmorris4795]

Jets Rolls is a Mansory Rolls, so worth $850’000 over twice the standard rolls cost.

[@albertsolberg8682]

Talking about it would make the sport more exciting.

[@kr3stsb]

Hunter has worn a few Pateks that are well over $60k. I feel like at one point I saw him with a Richard Mille? I could be wrong, but I thought I spotted it once.

[@walterdemo2895]

Professional racing whether ppl relate or not are true modern day warriors. Ive yet to see or experience a sport even remotely close. 90mph high sides gasping for air. Getting bikes n riders into your back at speed. Racing w multiple broken bones hobbling on crutches. Its a passion very few get rewarded for so the ones that do succeed hopefully get lots to make up for the ones that have been overlooked or fallen by the way side

[@butcherblockbbq7048]

Gypsy with the tax advice, LOL

[@lananavan1885]

It will raise kids getting into this crazy sport,,🎉

[@Martin-ef4xh]

I like the way you get riders open up about random, to me, shit. Even though I raced for years, I NEVER realized the scenes behind to pro's views (drug addiction due to injuries, pay, etc.). In a way, I would like the NDA to go away on salaries, but...the mystery keeps us enthralled, doesn't it? Keeps us wondering, riding and striving to be a better rider.

[@ryanbrandenburg1882]

Money should be talked about just like every other sport.

[@shaunbeers5894]

Like how he’s honest about money. Fans are curious. Remember Davi Millsaps don’t like to talk about money

[@dnnyshdy5189]

There is an opportunity in motocross to make a lot of money but not all do. Comparing it to golf is crazy. Look at the end of the year what a guy in 40th place on the money list in golf makes and compare that to 40th place in motocross. Probably a huge difference.

[@brandonfoley8070]

interesting question is Levi making more money at his age racing then he would be if he wasnt racing? Id guess yes but is that true for all these young riders

[@KLLKASDirtStrBuilder]

Fabio could ride son of mine met when they both were in full stop mode avoiding head-on impact lmao it happens at Gorman 100% He transported his KTMs by Land Rover

[@JamieJohnson-vg4dm]

I treated myself to a 20014 Chevy Malibu

[@larrystalica4037]

I think 6000 pounds is the weight that makes it deductible. Plus a lease is 100% eligible for tax deduction. Plus the tax bill on 10 mil is more than enough mil.

[@arvanitakis197]

Would be cool to see a Netflix series on moto. Kind of like F1. One way to grow the sport

[@rg807]

It's called The Great Outdoors

[@johnnydoeboy9301]

Must be nice. When I raced xc2 in gncc I won about $750 between sponsors and the track paying…

[@bdnosloc5217]

Levi, I'd like to ride up to the farm from Tally on my XR250. You think you and Deegan would be willing to sign the gas tank?

[@bdnosloc5217]

I'd also challenge you to a game of golf! let's go man

[@korey6729]

16:30 Bill Nance bloopers

[@randybinc.6443]

Rolex green Hulk for Levi!

[@stewartmolina5894]

Extending the invitation to the Ponce Day Leon 🤔what do you think of Ms.Grande? I'll try to hook you 2 up No Cap a professional courtesy

[@korey6729]

Another marketing nugget is broadcasting the multiple disciplines some of the rides participate in.

[@dude7838]

Gypsy....GANG

[@user-xj5xp6qz5g]

yaaaas! Slay queen!

[@Slotmassacre]

50-60 million? Taxes, attorneys, agent... nobody in moto has ever netted 50-60 million by tens of millions

[@MyName-yl2nc]

Js7 was raking in millions

[@Josh-py2pq]

Eli was making around 8 million a year

[@OtisFlint]

@@Josh-py2pq Yes and no. Travel, trainers, and a variety of other expenses are either not paid by the team at all, or not fully, depending on which team. Good trainers start at $300k, flying private is another few hundred thou/year, etc. It all adds up.

[@jalenjackson5823]

Bubba def made $50m+

[@lawrencefranck9417]

@@OtisFlintall of that is written off taxes.

[@minibikemafia]

450 class could/should be an open class....2strokes over 300cc(any cc allowed...ebikes allowed....600 twins allowed....try anything

[@LarryLinton]

Think yourself lucky your racing Monster SX in the UK ...you'd be taxed 50% . Thats why all the F1 drivers are residents of Monaco ..no tax !

[@manzer_motobros]

Why should we know or care? Good for the riders if they can leverage the system. No different than any other American family that is trying to do the best for there families

[@JamieJohnson-vg4dm]

Jetts making good money 😅

[@farwellmusic3069]

It's weird that people think they're entitled to knowing other people's incomes. I'm not going to act like I'm not curious, but they're entitled to their privacy.

[@danfortinjr5388]

10 million a year and taxes are way more than a million in taxes. You are in a 40% range So 4 million.

[@NotYourSpy]

pull that up jamie

[@kevmoto727]

Tax bill a lot higher than a million if he made 10 M. Prob like 3-4M

[@KLLKASDirtStrBuilder]

Probably Honda 2yr contract base is like that Add moto wins o/alls SX outdoor championships wsx bonuses Honda paid out likely 2.5-3m add event race payouts Sponsorship s and investments I would say more than likely he made around 8-9ish mil for the year just guessing if there selling Honda's he'll sign next base contract 6-7m per. Get it when you can kid is on fire

[@andrewcastillo5003]

We know the other sports numbers

[@zigfield723]

With Haiden's social media and endorsements plus his racing earning this year he could potentially make over 10 million?

[@benjaminboshaw8858]

Dam I could’ve wrote off my school bus ??

[@Nathan.Guizar]

6k lbs but no more than 14k lbs is the weight for accelerated depreciation

[@user-rj8xb4me1i]

Ricky James and Travis are the most successful dirt bike riders.

[@LarryLinton]

Everybody buy nice things !!! Lifes too short ...

[@kylefitzgerald1851]

I’m going to treat myself with a Kia soul

[@JBarnes917]

No reason not to know what the rider’s contracts are other than trying to pay people less. Every other sport is public, football, baseball, basketball and everyone knows what everyone makes

[@Rick40years]

Thats a tough sport. They deserve a lot of money. However the injury list is very long. Still curious why they aren't wearing full body armor like football.

[@stuartstogdill2406]

They wouldn't be able to ride as fast. Pretty simple to understand.

[@Rick40years]

@@stuartstogdill2406 That makes no sense. How come running backs aren't slowed down by pads? Will it slow the engine? Ive been riding for 40 years. At 58 im on a 2024 ktm 250 xcf. Nothing will slow that bike down.

[@Josh-py2pq]

Js7 was making over ten a year back then. I know Eli was making 8 million a year. I bet Jett made over 10 last year. Wish they made more. Especially in the top 10-15. This athletes are insane.

[@ryanselway7944]

Chase with wrong tax advice lol

[@jeffenglish9132]

Better go back a recalculate the tax bill… it’s far more than 10%

[@ozzielinkin]

I m treating myself to a pizza today .

[@timjohnson8725]

Cha Ching definitely all about the Benjamin's

[@CraigRay-mj2io]

buy land.... damn a car or watch

[@te897]

Every other legit sport shares contract and bonus info. Why not this one and maybe it makes it more legit and drive more revenue into the sport.

[@shytycole8910]

Fabio should be his mechanic. Use conditioner for chain lube.

[@RJExpediting-rk7lr]

The obvious reason the money isn’t talked about because it’s pathetic. The super cross and motocross riders are world class elite riders and if you’re a 18th place rider you can’t even break even. I have been told in super cross the riders pay an entry fee. What a joke!!!!

[@Focalpoint100]

This is exactly the reason. Took the words from me

[@stuartstogdill2406]

They make more than enough. None of them are paying the entry fees themselves, that is what sponsors are for. Plus, that fee is $200, so it is peanuts compared to what they make and it is tax deductible as an expense. These guys can make $100k a race... if they win. Average guy in the 450 class is making an easy $2M with salary and sponsor deals.

[@Rattle_canned_restorations]

Pretty sure jett made closer to 20 million

[@skydog6033]

Levi. You handled yourself very well on a somewhat pleeber uncomfortable $ subject. Kick his ass next this weekend! You know who. Whom I also love for the sport.

[@Chineeex]

Damn must be nice making 8-10 million!

[@Rattle_canned_restorations]

A gt3rs😬😬😬 god level cars

[@johnco_9854]

I lost about $120 to Peacock for me watch Supercross/ Motocross 😂

[@alexcascais3717]

You can only claim the car under section 179 in tax code if it’s “for your business”. I’d imagine Jett has some LLCs etc that he can put it under but if you’re just rich and W2’ed and buy a heavy car it absolutely doesn’t just become a deduction. Can be misleading for some of the younger kids watching.

[@treminor8456]

The top guys make up to 10 million James on Bubbas world talked a little bit about it.

[@kurtheidelbach]

It’s all proportional. If you are treating yourself to a KIA Soul you should be paying cash. If you are treating yourself RR you should be paying cash. If you are financing a vehicle you can’t afford it and are buying the wrong car.

[@OminousRooster]

I believe the riders deserve every bit of what they make. Good on them. Save those pennies and retire. Enjoy life without stress of finances like the rest of us common ppl.

[@Powersparky59]

Nfl contracts are public knowledge supercross should be too

[@iteleski2]

6,000lbs!!!!

[@stevendelehant8737]

Same reason work place doesn't want you to talk cause if you did everyone would know how under payed they are compaired to profits

[@kc72186]

Give me 10k and I'll dye my hair like Levi's.

[@jd617mx]

Hang on a second Jase, is it really 100% Tax deductible ? Yes, HOWEVER you can only write that off in year 1. Then you’re paying Cap Gains on that $600k vehicle. This whole idea that you can just buy a half a million dollar car and that’s automatically money you don’t have to pay the IRS is preposterous. There’s no such thing as Free Money. Uncle Sam ALWAYS collects

[@seeker156]

Riders need to unionize.

[@sled9263]

No. It’s no one’s business. Not even a little bit.

[@burrofilemon1823]

get it get it gt3rs

[@pauldavidson317]

The only thing you should be buying is BTC! Turn that 500k into 5 million

[@ryanstratton1925]

if you make 10 million you have to pay way more than one million in tax

[@christopher7935]

I've managed a few motorcycle shops, I never wanted my men to know what the others were making, when workers get jealous of others pay they become disgruntled , it's best to keep pay hush, some shops have you sign something when you get hired or a get raise to not disclose your pay

[@tulmar4548]

US federal law now prohibits employers from stopping or limiting its employees from discussing pay.

[@slowmomma7222]

Working a regular job is a lot different to knowing the pay for a competition.

[@kurtheidelbach]

Has nothing to do with jealousy it’s for the fairness of the player and ultimately their benefit. That’s why it’s disclosed in the NFL and other sports. If you did have your employee pay disclosed they would probably see what a cheapskate you were and would end up having to pay more

[@jamlee344]

Yeah why not. Soccer players getting ridiculous money for acting. SxMx riders probably gets ok money for the danger involved. Its about the following and what they can sell. Moto racing doesn't have the following of soccer/ football/ golf etc.

[@lawrencefranck9417]

Buy a $60k watch is not super smart..

[@Chilly-uq2zl]

I think they mean it wont lose value over many years

[@stewartmolina5894]

Hey bro Elon Musk is lighting the candle tune in let the Deegans know

[@denniswilder3014]

Who cares what these guys make. Its got nothing to do with racing all it does is satisfy people's curiosity. Everyone these days are so nosey and worry about other people's business when they should just worry about themselves

[@Motobookie]

It’s not 100% tax deductions, also if he made $10M then his taxes will be $3M or more. Wow this show is funny.

[@maximus518774]

Why do we need to know this? Who even cares how much another man makes or what he does with his money. It’s no one’s business

[@shawnmackenzie5459]

Yeah I think these guys should be paid just as much if not more than the loosers in the NFL.

[@christopherbrown2736]

$8-10 mill for the top rider is still underpaid compared to what other top athletes make /year and the risk involved. Should be closer to $20-25 mill.. for the top rider.

[@anthonyferraro]

Poor guys risking their lives to make 10 million if you are the best of the best! Crazy if you compare the top 1% in almost any other sport they make 10 plus times the money with a fraction of the risk. Holy god pay these guys more. Can you compare Jett Lawerence to Patrick Mahomes, Steph Curry, Shohie Ohtani or Lionel Messi?

[@darthelmo1]

Yes. This is another reason why it's not a "real" sport like golf, basketball, or football.

[@skylerwade5916]

Yeah ur right, motocross is way more exciting,way harder than all those sports

[@eddieayala1160]

The rolls is only tax deductible if it’s used for business purposes and is driven a certain amount of miles a year. Kind of misleading information here…

[@Slotmassacre]

Exactly

[@1176hambone]

Yes. But, that can all be rigged up if you have a security and transportation team/ entity, for example. Rarely do wealthy individuals purchase things as individuals. They invest in and set up a company.