ESPN the Mag story tabs Lesnar as highest paid fighter at $5.3 million in 2010

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/ESPN-the-Mag-story-tabs-Lesnar-at-highest-paid-f?urn=mma-wp1366

"According to ESPN the Magazine, the highest paid MMA fighter in 2010 was Lesnar at ONLY $5.3 million. Boxer Manny Pacquiao led the way in the other major combat sport at $32 million.

On the surface, that makes MMA look pathetic. Should MMA stars like Lesnar, Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva be making $15 million-plus a year? Maybe, but the argument from MMA promoters is that the gap between boxing's haves and have-nots is massive while MMA can boast of dozens of fighters making in excess of $500,000 per year."

ouch.

Despite losing UFC heavyweight gold in 2010, former champ Brock Lesnar was mixed martial arts’ highest paid athlete last year. ESPN has released a ‘Best Paid’ list for the top earners across 30 major sports. According to ‘The worldwide leader in sports,’ Lesnar pocketed $5.3 million for his two Octagons outings in 2010.

The report excluded endorsements deals, sponsorship dollars, appearances fees, etc. ESPN gauged Lesnar’s income off ‘Estimated Prize Money, PPV share.’

Lesnar earned a flat $400,000 for his UFC 116 victory over Shane Carwin and another $400K for his UFC 121 loss to Cain Velasquez. He also took home a $75,000 ‘Submission of the Night’ bonus for tapping out Carwin.

That means, Lesnar earned roughly $4.425 million in pay-per-view dollars last year. The UFC is not required to release the PPV commissions they offer to select superstars, so this report was a nice roundabout way to obtain that information.

http://www.5thround.com/73885/brock-lesnar-banks-big-mma-bucks-in-2010/

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That means, Lesnar earned roughly $4.425 million in pay-per-view dollars last year. The UFC is not required to release the PPV commissions they offer to select superstars, so this report was a nice roundabout way to obtain that information.

That is nice to see.

Dan Hardy wants that money.
http://www.mmamania.com/2011/4/21/2124620/dan-hardy-calls-out-brock-lesnar-i-think-he-should-give-me-some-of

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"I think Brock Lesnar should give me some of his 5.3 million he has earned from MMA. I'd be more than happy to fight him for it too."

Well did someone think he was doing this for free? I mean that guy is all about the money, which is fine. Shallow, but fine.

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

Well did someone think he was doing this for free? I mean that guy is all about the money, which is fine. Shallow, but fine.

Would you do your job for free?

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

Well did someone think he was doing this for free? I mean that guy is all about the money, which is fine. Shallow, but fine.

I think it would be cool to know the top PPV earners and what they got. I'd like to see a top 10 list.

this is yahoo front page right now

GDPofDRC wrote:

this is yahoo front page right now

That is where I copied it from.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/04/21/espn-study-brock-lesnar-mmas-top-paid-star-in-2010/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

au contraire, ESPN

I don't know what is more shameful. People upset about what Lesnar gets paid or the fact that the people who he is between make a lot more money than him and one is a Jockey and the other a poker player.

Mike Chiappetta MMA

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For the heck of it, I ran GSP's numbers too. Came up with about $4.5M for him. Final # does not include sponsorships, discretionary bonuses

Lesnar is the only guy on that list who is not paid based on the merits of his athletic ability in his sport, he's paid like it's the WWE, on the prowess of his entertainment value. It's not shameful to believe an athlete should be compensated based on their athletic value before their celebrity value in a professional sport.

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

I don't know what is more shameful. People upset about what Lesnar gets paid or the fact that the people who he is between make a lot more money than him and one is a Jockey and the other a poker player.

No one earns their money more than poker players

GDPofDRC wrote:

Lesnar is the only guy on that list who is not paid based on the merits of his athletic ability in his sport, he's paid like it's the WWE, on the prowess of his entertainment value. It's not shameful to believe an athlete should be compensated based on their athletic value before their celebrity value in a professional sport.

He's paid like a guy who is the biggest name in the sport and was the champ in the biggest division in the game also. Not surprising at all

bobbitt15 wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

Lesnar is the only guy on that list who is not paid based on the merits of his athletic ability in his sport, he's paid like it's the WWE, on the prowess of his entertainment value. It's not shameful to believe an athlete should be compensated based on their athletic value before their celebrity value in a professional sport.

He's paid like a guy who is the biggest name in the sport and was the champ in the biggest division in the game also. Not surprising at all

Yeah but you have to see GDP's point. In terms of skill and what he has accomplished in his sport. He isn't top 10. He is paid because he is a draw, not because he is the best fighter.

Its like that in every entertainment field. Atleast Brock was also holding the belt as well

bobbitt15 wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

Lesnar is the only guy on that list who is not paid based on the merits of his athletic ability in his sport, he's paid like it's the WWE, on the prowess of his entertainment value. It's not shameful to believe an athlete should be compensated based on their athletic value before their celebrity value in a professional sport.

He's paid like a guy who is the biggest name in the sport and was the champ in the biggest division in the game also. Not surprising at all

Would you liken him to being like the Payton Manning, Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, etc., of MMA. I would not. Those are bonafied veteran MVP caliber individuals in their respective sports.

bobbitt15 wrote:

Its like that in every entertainment field. Atleast Brock was also holding the belt as well

I like MMA better as an athletic competition than sports entertainment.

Chicks dig the longball, I get it.

GDPofDRC wrote:

bobbitt15 wrote:

Its like that in every entertainment field. Atleast Brock was also holding the belt as well

I like MMA better as an athletic competition than sports entertainment.

It still falls much more heavily into the latter than things like the NFL, MLB, etc though where everyone will support the teams they root for. MMA is still growing/personalities sell the sport and will be paid for it

I know, but I think the WWE style and inequity is a shame for real athletes in this sport.