What do Red Bull Rampage athletes get paid to attend?

Olly breaks down how the athlete appearance fee gets broken down quite quickly...
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Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com
#TheRideCompanion #mountainbiking #mtb

[@reecewallace]

When I competed, we got paid a $10K appearance fee, but the riders typically spend all of that paying their diggers, flying them in, accommodation, food etc.

[@dam8087]

10k for a team is an absolute joke given the effort and risk involved at Rampage

[@abeautifulview]

From the $10k you also have to deduct your expenses for the 2 weeks for the team of 3! It's minimum wage, with the risk of the career ending injury, all to benefit a crappy energy drink company who will make a fortune from the exposure. The riders should protest.

[@JwallzMTB]

not even surprised because its a huge corporate company. why no one pursues "being a redbull athlete" anymore@@abeautifulview

[@thegriff9425]

@@irfuelwhy? Just don't comment.

[@stefthorman8548]

@@abeautifulview it's the riders passion, the drink company isn't just scouting regular dudes and training them to do this, these riders were doing it even before getting noticed by the drink company

[@YKDSGN]

​​@@stefthorman8548So if one enjoys his job he shouldn't get properly paid when hired? Nice logic pal.

[@MrCyphermonkey]

The more I hear about the behind the scenes of rampage the more I wonder is it worth it. Especially as it seems that rampage is less relevant these days as there is very little original riding that takes the sports forward. Look at this years the two most original and dangerous lines of the event, cleaned with style, didn’t even get the rider on the podium.

[@nathanboyd6283]

I'm watching rampage right now and Bren is being robbed by the judges. THAT canyon and the Battleship getting fleeced by 360s and backflips ? Ridiculous

[@joeblow-me6ub]

I wouldn't even have zink in the top 5 his run was so basic. Brendan killed it. He was the true winner

[@Simon-zan]

@@joeblow-me6ub Totally agree

[@forton615]

Bren and Bienvenido went complete rampage style, same for the work the diggers put in. The judges didn't get it, it's not a slope style competition.

[@MartianMoon]

@@joeblow-me6ubcasual

[@brettegbert6985]

Unfortunately that’s the downfall of judged sporting events, way too much bias goes into it. So subjective

[@dougbowers8759]

I dont think he was complaining but rather giving us an idea of what it costs to compete.

[@bassman87]

been watching all the content between Brendog, olly, deaks, and even Matt Jones. Just watched the shenanigans that went down on the manitory day off. #Rollit. Ive also enjoyed the morning podcast. lol.

[@dieuexiste]

What about medical insurance? Hospital fees are through the roof in the USA. Is each rider responsible for contracting its own insurance or is it paid for by Red Bull?

[@imperiumgodgaming]

I think there sponsors cover that and red bull legal team

[@Vale-of-DirtWood]

That would be covered by sponsors

[@ciliatus]

not only the riders, but the digging crew as well? Cralwing cliffs and everything....

[@rbutter9200]

Good luck getting personal insurance that covers a competitive highvrisk event like that

[@MitchChubey]

It's on the rider to have proper coverage. Ask me how I know 😅

[@KurtBob]

It should be 10k WITH all expenses paid. That’s insanity.

[@MrDmadness]

That would still be nothing near what redbull makes from the event.. they give athletes under 1% of their profit.

[@MrDmadness]

@@irfuel do your own reading. They make a bunch bud.theg also can write off most of their expenses. Are you really trying g to say red bull doesn't profit from rampage ?? Lol are you 10 ?

[@YKDSGN]

@@irfuel RedBull would be nothing without events like this, that's their main marketing strategy.

[@YKDSGN]

@@irfuel That nothing was 70k live viewership of their target customers and marketing footage to spread everywhere online. So indeed 10k is peanuts to their budget and besides F1 these niche extreme sports are what brings in a big chunk of their brand value.

[@MrDmadness]

@@irfuel you've already said it.. marketing. You don't seem to understand how much money is in marketing a product

[@kroozctrl6284]

At this point monster energy needs to host their own free rider event. I’m not talking about a fest series. Call it Monster Mayhem.

[@abeautifulview]

Wow, that's quite shocking and very poorly paid. Each member of the team and rider should be paid for 2 weeks work. You should also be paid a travel day each way, plus a day either side for Jet Lag. The flights, hotel, transport, food are all expenses which Red Bull should pay. It should be more like $50K per team.

[@make725daily1]

This video is undeniably motivating! -- "Progress results from persistent effort.."

[@tetaizozadja7080]

all riders that are not from north america should boycott this event… they have 0% chance of winning and 100% chance to get seriously injured… if you are not from 🇺🇸 or 🇨🇦 and don’t have the right last name you’re not winning… this year’s rampage is evidence that this is true…

[@hassebir]

How do you deal with the judges just dealing out the victory to an old friend? That must put everyone off on the team...

[@rahkinrah1963]

It was referred to as "ranking" this year.

[@alexgonzalezMI]

My wife and I just spent a week in AZ and UT going to Grand Canyon, Zion, Lake Powell. All in with flights from Detroit and hotels, food, and car rental, we spent about 5-6000. You can't come from Europe and do this on 10k. WTF Redbull.

[@jernejteras3884]

you basically have to work and pay out of your own pocket to participate and then go risk your life for free... not sure how i feel about these redbull events

[@arranodoherty4372]

A environment where if it goes wrong you get best treatment in world for free if a massive plus

[@chrismichael1161]

Sponsors must be helping out with flights and accommodations, right? Per diem for expenses?

[@Kevin_Aus]

It feels like this is similar to Jackass. It's a hugely profitable enterprise for the company running the show but the people actually doing the stunts are paid very little.

[@daviderizzi6110]

these guys are legends ! true friendship!

[@TheRideCompanion]

100%

[@stormsandfishing5448]

Seems easier to go earn money at a regular job then ride on the weekends….

[@waryg2744]

It’s crazy how much money is pump too other sports, yet to sport like DH, slope style ect. where athletes are really talented, brave and risking so much. They put so little…

[@barnsnoble7066]

Because they are relatively small sports in comparison. Millions and billions of people watch events like the Superbowl and world cup, but the Red Bull rampage recording, which is free and easy to access, only has about 1.3 million views on KZbin right now.

[@waryg2744]

@@barnsnoble7066 true mate I get that just feel unfair. Lest hope that this events and disciplines will become more and more popular so DH, slope Athletes get what they really deserve 🤛

[@stevet9938]

The line they built and the way Brendan rode it it was the winning run in many peoples eyes. Great work guys…. f a r k the judges.

[@bullseye0112]

For the danger each rider should get 100,000. Honestly, bikes cost as much as moto so pay the riders the same

[@Alex-xt9hn]

You did Olly no favors with that thumbnail haha

[@AliBadman-u9n]

MTB is my life, I love it but 10k for a team for potentially life changing injuries? That’s passion

[@mormonguy89]

Is it cheaper to fly to LA and not salt lake or Las Vegas?

[@arthurbax3477]

I really feel bren got robbed, he embodied the true spirit of rampage

[@CurtisCycles]

10k to potentially die riding your bike is wild.

[@MrDmadness]

8k ..don't forget this is income taxed. It's under 2 months work to potentially die... just brutal

[@CorkBouldering]

You gets some business class lads.

[@LiamKilsbySteele]

If you want a videographer 👀👀 very very keen

[@gencp117]

Welp when you see a rider broken by not getting the run the wanted.... there's so much that goes into it for these guys

[@DjDolHaus86]

You'd think Red Bull could afford to host a campsite for the competitors

[@bassman87]

they do for VIP guests and some of their staff but who wants to go camping after 10 days of digging in the desert sun. Most of the US riders Air BnB a house nearby, rather than get hotel rooms for their team. A good shower after a hard day goes a long way of keeping moral up.

[@matt_metcalf]

All the surrounding area is either BLM or privately owned so it's hard to host that many people without just fully booking a nearby resort or hotel.

[@DjDolHaus86]

@@bassman87 I don't mean sleeping bags on the dirt under canvas, I mean air conditioned tents with proper beds and catering/bathroom facilities on site. Glamping as it's commonly known

[@bassman87]

@@DjDolHaus86 well then its logistically easier for redbull to just put them up in hotels like they currently do. to bring that kind of infrastructure to the middle of the desert is a logistical nightmare, namely around electrical and water facilities. Virgin is about 2 miles away, Hurricane is about 5 miles away ( this is where I stayed the two years I went) and the national park is about 15 miles away. no point in reinventing the wheel when amenities already exist.

[@DjDolHaus86]

@@bassman87 They don't put them up in a hotel. That's the point, the athletes have to pay for accommodation for them and their teams out of their appearance fee. And no, it's not particularly difficult to make that sort of temporary facility, if they can run an event with TV crews and live music then they've got the infrastructure for a base camp. I used to work for a company that did camps for field research teams and this would be childs play in comparison.

[@jackford5770]

2:46 I sell Walmart tools, I’d love to know what you used and may need in the future. I live in Bentonville (mountain bike capital of the world 😊). Let’s talk Toos and ride.

[@MartinezHQ]

Most small business owners make enough to sponsor some of these guys 🤔.

[@wolfharthiphop]

How much do the DH world cup riders make?

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

AFTER BRENDONS result and not podiuming given the risk WHY GO BACK

[@reefchiefer]

Robert Downey jr in a straight jacket!?? 🤘🍻

[@chickenclips]

as gnarly as the sport is and as brave as the riders are - Redbull is probably the only company with enough revenue to pay the athletes more - there simply is not enough eyes on the sport, simple. The only people who watch these events are riders. Unlike other sporting spectacles. Sad really. Redbull needs to start paying these guys more!!!

[@barnsnoble7066]

Red Bull should be at least covering the transportation, supplies, housing, and dining for these guys. It was shocking hearing the amount of things that the riders need to pay for and organize themselves. I was watching a vlog from one of the riders, I don't remember if it was this guy or someone else, and was confused about why a team of like 4 people were all crammed into one bedroom. Surely red Bull could cough up some dough to rent out the floor of a local hotel for these world class athletes. I know the sport doesn't have enough money going into it to pay everyone a million dollars, but red Bull is a big enough brand to pull together the resources so these guys don't have to go into the red just to show up.

[@ryanlockyer2408]

so they get paid basically nothing

[@wwerty234]

so you guys flying first class?

[@Dnt_Push]

How TF Red Bull gonna make Brit’s go buy shovels and whatnot once they get here!?! Supplying the tools would be nothing for them.

[@james.knight.68]

What do Red Bull Rampage judges get paid to attend?

[@digdidit2346]

Deaks can dig?!

[@TheShift1313]

Wow that is nuts. To think those living locally to that area get 10k while you all have to pay on top so not only riding for "free" but actually paying out of pocket. Also you guys were robbed. The exposure and risk of the line you guys had should have been on the podium

[@Doty6String]

10k isn’t enough

[@nicksans5039]

Then taxes

[@rahkinrah1963]

I have NEVER drank a Red Bull. I never will.

[@stefthorman8548]

ok?

[@mrbbqcraig]

Didn't mention the " booze dosh" 🤟✨

[@daddams2538]

You need to hit up Matt Jones, he probably gets the same $10000, charge him for being in his video.

[@DougieFresh13]

Redbull better step up 💸 💰 jokers

[@onetwofourfive]

Are you both high?

[@MikeOnaBike]

Then you have to pay Tax….

[@freshseeker]

Why do they take so long to say so little

[@janeblogs324]

The British invented English to literally take lover while making stories more suspenseful

[@johneeeemarry34]

More ads more more money… They love money, the Guardian, ‘unfairness’ and being smug. They call themselves the British middle class…

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

Wow, if that’s the case, I’m not watching or buying Red Bull anymore. These guys put their life on the line. It’s marketing, whatever Red Bull makes on the event, should be split between the riders/teams.

[@stefthorman8548]

red bull makes nothing out of an small event like this.

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

@@stefthorman8548 Oh yes they do. Red Bull doesn’t do this just for shits and giggles. It’s called marketing and a tax write off.

[@arranodoherty4372]

Biggest ad for brand ever ,why do people drink red bull anywau

[@mstreich]

So… y’all are essentially paying to risk your lives so Red Bull can advertise. 😮

[@MrDmadness]

Redbull: " hey guys we lrovide some signs and drones, you guys get NOTHING " So 10 grand becomes 8g net ( tax roughly ) and 3 g on flight 5g remain... not including foid ahd accommodation... they get paid less than i do in 2 weeks ( plumber, gasfitter, electrician ) to risk their lives tossing themselves off huge ledges... total b.s.

[@jongenboren]

Are these riders being exploited by the giant corporations profiting enormously off of these events?

[@stefthorman8548]

how are they profiting from these events?

[@hassonmusic]

I'm surprised, needs to be 50-100k per athlete

[@zionkid420]

$10 Grand. To die... Now you would do it for free. Problem is Red Bull makes BILLIONS off you doing it. IF YOU GUYS DON'T SHOW UP... NO ONE ELSE CAN RIDE THAT TERRAIN. THEY HAVE TO PAY YOU. AND if you idiots just put together $150k to pay a helicopter and drone camera crew for the weekend... YOU CAN MAKE MILLIONS OFF THE FOOTAGE YOURSELVES. Since you are already doing EVERYTHING else for yourselves and paying for the pleasure of making a company that doesn't even call itself an action sports OR energy drink brand richer. You deserve to have to hike those hills at your cost. Because you guys WON'T change it.

[@scottstidston7850]

Amazing event but Redbull are a joke. F1 team budget anyone!!!!

[@chrisbucksey3635]

People are complaining about the fees. Yet the teams accept them. Your more than welcome to go put your own events on. Or go support your favorite athlete via a patron or something. People do these things for the love of the sport. Not just for the money.

[@velofiends8849]

If you're going to talk numbers.....actually know the numbers, anyone can sit around and speculate, I'd rather be watching number wang.

[@TheRideCompanion]

What numbers are you confused about?

[@KurtBob]

It was crystal clear.

[@jonanolakers1567]

I aint even heard of this dude

[@Forestmtb]

Redbull rampage has become an ass slopestyle course. The most boring thing I've ever watched for the past 4-5 years. Making everything smooth, its so boring to watch and the people that get invited are boring as well, the same ass riders with nothing more to offer. And there are a lot of people not getting invited that have much better skill and style. This is my view in this event. And Gee crashed again like he always does, probably the dude should retire so some young talent can come into his place and push the future of the sport further. Because this event is pointless with only 10 riders in it that are the same as every year.

[@olik136]

there aren't even medieval traps around the course- and there are multiple parts where a crash could be non-fatal, how boring... maybe take your meds before writing something- or just don't watch stuff that you don't like..

[@joeymangs]

I just did my first 55’ step down on the old site that was considered “smooth”. Go try riding the course yourself if it’s so boring. Guarantee you’ll have a panic attack.

[@Forestmtb]

@@joeymangs I would If I was living in USA but Im from EU and dont have 30k moneys just laying around to go to your shit ass country and ride the course. 55 foot step down bruh do you consider it an achievement or something?

[@alexwilkinson1850]

so its a grand a week wages