Posts
3494
Joined
4/4/2015
Location
GB
.. when you’re already a multi-millionaire??
I don’t think it is.
I’ve read here before about the Monster Energy SX and the winner bagging a cool $1m for one night.. and how a rider would “put it all on the line”.
Now, similar comments are made about next week’s Pala round, and how much the win is worth in monetary value.
I’m confident both Chase & Eli are multi-millionaires (If Chase isn’t already, he’s on his way) so my question is- is money the ultimate motivator for these guys to lay it all on the line?
Or is it the ‘Title’?
Does Chase want it more because he’s never had one yet?
Or Does Eli want it more because it’ll be his last try?
I don’t believe either of them need the money enough to push past the point of danger.
I don’t think it is.
I’ve read here before about the Monster Energy SX and the winner bagging a cool $1m for one night.. and how a rider would “put it all on the line”.
Now, similar comments are made about next week’s Pala round, and how much the win is worth in monetary value.
I’m confident both Chase & Eli are multi-millionaires (If Chase isn’t already, he’s on his way) so my question is- is money the ultimate motivator for these guys to lay it all on the line?
Or is it the ‘Title’?
Does Chase want it more because he’s never had one yet?
Or Does Eli want it more because it’ll be his last try?
I don’t believe either of them need the money enough to push past the point of danger.
Sextons got years to bank cheques and I can't imagine Tomac is short of a dollar.
I think the motivation is up to the individual:
* Monetary
* Passion
* Other
Interesting topic though.
If you lose, missing out on the money probably bums you out a bit more.
The Shop
I think everyone on the line is putting out their best effort on race day, races are won during the previous year(s) of practice, equipment knowledge and physical conditioning with a side order of luck.
The last round is going to be brutal hot, whoever has put in the work on the worst days of rough tracks and hot days over the summer has the advantage.
Make hay while the sun shines kind of thing
Cant be romantic about all that matters is the trophy or legacy. It all comes down to 💰
Having $3 million instead of $2 million is better.
Chase has also taken a significant chunk less to ride in Alpinestars vs another gear brand because he’s always wanted to be in their gear.
So I think it just goes to show that money is a factor but there are a ton of slices to the motivation/happiness/success pie and depending on where you are at in your career, the percentages may constantly be changing.
It's been so many years since I was 16-18, but I do recall that the trophy or the cash was not at all that important.
What was important was winning.
Pit Row
Making 100k/year is good money, and a level that may take some time to reach in their post MX careers.
Don't get me wrong. I believe most racers love being out there racing, but after 20 years or so of injuries and being in the grind, it makes sense that the passion can wane, and continuing to race and build up a nest egg is a smart move long term.
I do see the money side of it with a lot of other sports, and I'm not downplaying any of those guys by any means. You'll hear it in many interviews with athletes saying "me making it was going to change everything for my family so I had to do what I had to do to make it" so I see that motivation as well. I just don't think it is as common in many forms of racing, but I could be wrong.
Bragging rights second
Money second or third
With Titles comes lots of money.
First is that the lure of (potential) money definitely motivates people to get out of bed and follow a career as a professional athlete. Of course the athletes love what they do or they wouldn’t be doing it. However there are very few professional sports (if any) where you can make a living as a journeyman; if you’re not at or near the top there’s no substantial money to be made.
In motocross/supercross they are risking severe injury and/or long term impacts of injuries for a career that has a short lifespan. Countering that is the lure of the “breakout ride” where they suddenly become worth something.
The second aspect is - does money motivate people to be better or train harder? Except maybe in some limited ways the answer is no.
For example the lure of (more) money, actual or potential, might cause someone to take up mx full time and therefore be able to devote more to training and racing. That won’t change their intrinsic talent or willingness to push their body further. In a race they don’t consciously think “I better ride faster because there’s a check on the line”.
Some people are comparing there weekend warrior pursuit is the same as guys who do this a a profession, id say the top 20 guys care abour where they finish, salarys and bonuses. Yeah Eli took less at yamaha, think he thought he could win another championship and the bonus that goea with it.
Seem a lot of guys are still stuck at the age of 15, most likely not being seriously courted to be a pro, many of the top guys familys "invested" in their kid being a pro, pretty sure at least 75percent were expecting a financial return.
Post a reply to: Is money the ultimate motivator..