Paid Pros

A few of us were talking this weekend about how much the Pro's get paid. Who know's? I'm talking everything board sponsor, indorsements, boat... etc.
We were talking about the big name top riders.
Any Idea...

the last interview i read on darin shapiro he said that his best year so far was only 300 grand. but keep in mind thats jus what went in his bank account. someone of darin's ranks never pays for clothing, all their gear is free, probably has a gas sponsor of some sort. all travel is paid for my sponsors. so pretty much his only expences are food, his mortgage, and a car payment.

i read in wakeboarder magazine that contest riders make upwards of 300k as jason said, but that the pros that never do contests make like 50k a year

I read something in WB magazine - Mike Farrarro, as he took on young Dallas Friday for caoching, predicted that she would make over 1 Million $ per year whithin 3 years or so. He said that he turned out to be right,

Wonder if that's true...

Thanks Allen!!!

Have you seen what Parks drives, He is definately taken in some serious payrol. Have now idea on what the average is but I would think that the average is not as much as most think. The big name riders would be the ones pulling in the big bucks from sponsors.

The base price of an S-500(Parks' Mercedes) is around $86k. Add that to the rims, stereo, etc. and you're probably looking at at least $100,000 just for his car.

yeah but did he buy that car new, or did he buy it used, or did he win it, or get it from a sponsor? he's sponsored by kmc rims isnt he? if this is true then he probably got the rims cheap/free plus some money to help him buy a nice car to show off his nice rims. just a thought...i really dont know either way.

i really dont know. ive been told that some of the upper level guys have bought up a couple of different properties here and there. that could pay off down the line if they play their cards right.

Wouldnt that be kewl to get paid to wakeboard? I mean if you could start when you are about 15 and stay injury free you could probabbly hang in there until you in your early 30's....what a way to make a living

To me if they make enough to do what they love to do every day and are able to eat and have a place to sleep at night. Then end up with .01 at the end of the year thats doing good. If you think about it thats what most of us do if not than I am way off and need to take a ts edge eye opener.

Daniel Perry, more like start out at the age of 5-6 and then hit the tour at 14-15 sounds about right.

even 50k isnt bad considering those guys still get most of the perks that the big names get just not the $$$

Oh yeah, thats what I meant, go Pro By 15 or so...would be a pretty kewl life style if you could avoid injury

Don't forget most of them also have their private schools and drive around doing clinics. Ever checked out the price of those schools and camps? They are not hurting in that area either.

I know a few top ten pros that are making right around 100k per year. Over the last few years the money has gotten a little better.

I did hear that Parks and Harf just went in together on the new condo's that are getting ready to sell at the Hard Rock Casino in Vegas. They are rumored to be selling for two Million each. Call me crazy, but if you can afford to spend HALF of that, thats good money.

I'd guess that with endorsements guys like Parks and Harf are making high six-figure incomes. Right now they are probably looking at this an laughing. That said, the career for a pro-wakeboarder isn't very long and can dry up very rapidly with injury. Looking out through investments will be the only way most of these guys will make it in the long run. Also, like Shane said, look at the camps a lot of the guys are running. Look at Schweene (sp?) for example. He's booked up all year. At $1400 per-week, per rider and approx 10 riders through a 25 week season. Do the math.....

Anyway, I kinda think these guys are entitled to their privacy. I don't really care what they make. The guys out there getting paid right now were/are the forefathers of our young sport and have worked hard for everything they've got. As dumb as it sounds: It can't be the easiest job in the world to stay on top of the pro-wakeboard game.

Ya lets just say if you are Parks, Harf, Byerly, Murray ect, you are doin just fine, and it takes money to make money, so if they are investing in condo,s and real estate projects thats where you can make lots of $$$$$$ thats where the money is.

Im pretty sure the answer is either too much or not enough depending on how you look at it.

www.wakecoupons.com

Brandon - I read what you mentioned about Parks and Harf doing the condo thing in Vegas. But I read that they bought a timeshare in a condo, not a $2M condo itself.

And with regard to rims, tires, cars, stereos, etc - the pros have sponsors on all of those items. Haven't you seen the Audiobahn ads with Ricky Gonzalez? And those KMC rim ads with Parks? What about the GM Vortec riders - they get the truck for free too!

I personally don't think the money is that good for most, but with sponsors, most of the expenses are covered, and the rider is left with what was mentioned above - mortgage, food, and other living expenses.

I mean, Hyperlite isn't paying anyone's electric bill....

(Message edited by tparider on September 20, 2005)

You forgot about the mad amounts of weed, blow, roids those guys have to pay for.

Not so sure about 'roids or blow, but I'd say their weed bills are pretty big unless they're puffin' homegrown.

Roids and blow? What do you think they are baseball players!!

The top riders get salaries from sponsors. Top riders can make 50-80 from the board company, 30-50 from the boat, plus 2-15 from each other sponsors. Riders with own board and bindings can make % of that. So you probably have a handful (Parks, Byerly, Murray level) making some decent change- 300-700. Next level in the 100-200 range and then those in the 50 to 100. If you are not in top 20 or a legend it is not going to be much.

If you have income from other sources (parent, girlfriend, trust baby) and can travel the world doing tournaments and clinics that is a nice life style. Do it until your late 20s and then get a job.

Bigpapa crackin me up!

ha ha ha, you guys crack me up. so many people on this site try to act like they are industry people and know everything. analyzing what cars people drive and their investments. seriously, thanks. it was a good study break.

***Temporary Hijack - Sorry***

Evan, WCC keeps itself afloat but by no means does it make the Schwan a rich man. He puts it all back into the camp. You gotta remember that there is a houseboat, 3 new Malibu's (that aren't free), lake fees, insurance like crazy and $3 gas. Add food and you get very little left over. Schwenne doesn't do it for the $crilla, it's about the sport and sharing the passion for riding with as many close friends as possible.

Honestly though I could never wakeboard for a living, skills aside. I love the sport too much to make it my career. I like having it as my escape/family/friend time. I thought of entering the industry but made the conscious decision to keep it sacred. They say work at what you love but I can't risk getting tired of being in the sport. Plus the industry is about the most screwed up thing there is.

I just wish I could get paid enough to ride for free.

Boarder Dad:

Just where did those numbers come from? Can you be more specific? Can we get some examples of the 100-200 and 50-100 guys?

IMO guys that run camps like Mike shouldn't be counted for the purposes of this discussion, they are running businesses not being paid for their riding skills.

ill give you some kind of idea....remember shapiros last contract with obrien was 475k over 4 years

475k over how many years?

Hi Rich- I know both Ike & Rusty make about 100k in salary & endorsements plus whatever they win. They told me.

Only reason I counted Mike in the equation is because he is because part of the reason he books his camp up so well is because he has worked hard to make a name for himself. IMO it is going to be harder to fill a camp with a no-name instructor. Same deal with Shapiro.

I wouldn't include that into their salary as a rider, but I'd say there is a good living to be made that way. Also, Stephan, you have a good point, but as far as paying for boats.... He should have a good enough deal worked out with Malibu that he can sell the boats at the end of the year for more than he paid. I know there are others expenses associated with running a camp, but I wouldn't exactly saying that doing what he is doing for a living sucks. Even if money is tight, it's still good enough to live on a houseboat and ride all year.

A few of you guys have it right. Unless you are top 10, you most likely aren't even making $100k per year. You are 1 injury away from losing sponsors as well. It is definitely not a sport to get into for money...but on the fun factor, it would be an incredible 5 to 10 year run.