Video: Is Red Bull Rampage Worth It?

 I think people need to get past the contest aspect of it. The event seems to have evolved more into a showcase than a contest. Guy seem more happy just to push themselves and land their run than they are with the standings. It should probably be looked at more like any other way of these riders showcasing their talents, like movie parts, or social media, etc. Its more about the outlet and the exposure it provides them as they make a career. Yes its dangerous, but that's part of the deal if you want to make a living as a freeride mountain biker.

 Unpopular opinion: Rampage sucks and its personally my least favorite event of the year. The risk is nowhere even close to the reward for the majority of those competing. Whilst I understand it is Free-ride and it is also a huge opportunity for our sport to gain exposure via big broadcasting it paints an unrealistic general picture of what our sport actually is. I don't wish it would go away, I just wish it wasn't the trademark event for our sport. Also plz bring back Dual Slalom

 You're asking the wrong question. You're asking a bunch of dudes who started hucking off stuff before it was something real. When the early guys started doing this people still looked at you funny when you showed up at the local DJ's on an MTB. And if you tried to explain jumping off 50 foot cliffs no one believed you. So for the guys doing it... yes it's worth it. They're making careers. They're getting paid to do what they love, some better than others. But beyond that they're getting that feeling of doing something very few people can do or have done. And they're still able to walk.

If you notice... the guys questioning the worth or at least quantifying it... are all guys that have been hurt. Ask Paul this same question and see what he says.

To me the question should not be... Is it worth it. The question should be... can we get you more and should we.

Answer to that is yes. It is honestly down right ridiculous that Red Bull has even had to be challenged to raise it to the point they have raised it. Until recently they did not get show up money and the pay outs were next to nothing.

This is Red Bull's most watched event, period. They have very very little expense in producing it in comparison to many other similar events. The riders are doing their own work. The network is in place and so is the established viewership. Now people like Fox or ESPN or whatever are starting to reshow the event. That means they're paying Red Bull for the content.

This needs to be a big pay out event. I think you have to be careful not to go to far with it because you don't want people making stupid choices for the opportunity of earning a million dollars. But paying out the winner say $250k would be warranted. Raising show up amounts, look at what Godziek said in his videos... the foreign guys lose money to show up.
Raise the show up money to $10k and at least triple the pay out to winners, etc. That is still a very very small chunk when compared to what Red Bull is pulling in.

To me it's very similar to the comparison of Boxing and the UFC. Same pay per view numbers, the boxer is making $3m-10m. The UFC guy is making $100k-500k. So who's pocketing the rest. The UFC. They could double their pay outs and still be underpaying people. I think that Rampage is in a similar boat. They can double and triple it and still be underpaying guys but at least they'd be respecting them.

Riders will continue to do it anyways... but that doesn't mean that as an industry we and as a fanbase that we should not be pushing Red Bull to pony up. Especially with their expansion in the camping area, fan zone, etc. They want companies like Ohlins (this years suspension sponsor) to pony up $25k to do that. Run that out to the other sponsors at lower dollar amounts and you're talking about $250k worth of income just from companies wanting logo placement and/or display space. Campers paying, attendees paying, selling swag at a 3-500% profit margin. Etc. They're making stupid money off this.

A direct comparison is the Mavericks surf competition. Back in 2009 they doubled the payout and became the highest paying event in surfing. Here's what Beading the CEO said...

“There really is no amount of money on Earth that could compensate the guys for the risks they take out there at Maverick’s,” Keir Beadling, CEO of Mavericks Surf Ventures, wrote in an e-mail, “and I honestly believe they’d surf in the contest with no prize purse. Many of them have said as much."

That is exactly what we're talking about here. Will they do it. Yup. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't get paid a reasonable amount to do it.



So.... in short.... you're asking the wrong question so that you can get the answer you want. You get riders to say... yes it's worth it and you get amo to use when you don't pay what you should/could. All this video did was ask a predictable question to get predictable answers to get people to forget about the issue.

So start asking the right questions and start getting the right answers.

 Well clearly it is worth it to them. Between the money, sponsorship benefits, pride etc. its worth it to them...if it wasn't they wouldn't ride it.

 To put it into perspective; the winner of the Superbike TT on the Isle of Man gets `£20.000
For that he has to race a distance of 226 miles while averaging 135mph on narrow public roads. (That's 364km at 227km/h for the rest of the world)

 It's a catch-22. The potential cost of the life-changing injuries that a rider could suffer in this event can hardly be put into financial terms, and definitely are not reflected in the prize money (especially for those that don't win). So, would increasing the money make it "worth" such risks, or would it just provide an undue incentive for people to participate? Perhaps it is best that the money isn't huge, so that only the fully committed participate. Of course, that means the corporate sponsors get to profit off the event and market around it without sharing the profits with the athletes make the event actually happen. For every athlete that succeeds in the sport, there are dozens more that try and come up short (or botch the landing). Their financial and personal futures can be forever changed in the blink of an eye or a turn of the bars. For context, Red Bull is a $10.4 billion valued business. Interesting conversation.

 And, that is why up and commers cant get paid more then a poor college student to be on T.V. and cant make "Moto" money. Because the sport is stuck in the hippie " Dude Bro" style of things. The pros need to be getting paid to be.... well Pros. Palmer back in the day and Gwin now a days are the ones raising the bar in the pay to play and make millions off my name deal. Somehow people think it is a bad thing. The minimum to play in the NFL is around the 500k mark and 90% of people dont know their names either and not on a Toyota commercial like Nate Hills. But people keep doing it for "the love". All those guys in the NFL love football too, but they just made a business out of it and not a "let just have fun now so I can try to sell coaching and live in a 25 year old RV when I am 50" kind of thing. Lets get these guys PAID! Sometimes I hate that I make more money a year then most these guys throwing it all on the line so I can watch a video when I get off. There is not 401k in this sport, you are "old" at 35 like Minnaar. I want to see these guys/ gals get paid. If I am paying Motorcycle money for something I have to pedal then the factory sponsored guys/gals should be making motorcycle money as well. It is every bit as competitive. Hell guys on the Web.com tour make way more money playing golf and that is not even the big league. Lets stop this for the love crap and get the pro men and females paid for making us want to buy a 3mm difference in hub spacing because the pro use it and will make 1% increase in stiffness. The industry markets million on what is cool and they use these underpaid pros to make it cool,and we buy it up!

 I still think they should separate each of the pros runs with an amateur rider. It will do two things. Shows the crowds how difficult and gnarly the terrain actually is. And second, the blood bath coming down the mountain from the amateur riders will moisten up the ground reducing all the dust and making each of the landings perfect for the pro riders.

 Every year two or three people die at the Isle of Man. Life is not to be lived in a cotton box. Hopefully an air bag spine protector can be created. This event is just getting bigger. It totally curls my toes just watching it. I wish I could do it ,it would be living big.

 For my 2 cents worth many riders would compete for free. Bottom line this is a hobby that has become a business but people ride, and they generally want to ride bigger and better. If you can bring rampage back to people doing what they love all the better.

 There are more important things in life than money I suppose. Maybe they're satisfied with the money they get paid along with the pride and glory they get just from completing a Rampage.

 Win or lose, good Judges or not. Rampage is the most amazing event on earth to me. It is the gnarliest, most beautiful event I know of. These riders, all of them are truly inspiring me to ride and keep the stoke on at 45, and until I can't do it anymore. Send err boys! I love ya

 Isle of Man TT prize money for winner is £20,000 and there are multiple deaths every year. £20,000 doesn't even cover the costs of the machine, Tyres, fuel and getting to and from the race..... True sportsmen right there.

For everyone else, it seems to be all about the money.....

 Lol well that was a big mystery. Of course not, and like every single one said they don't do it for the money. I do wish they'd get paid more though!

 Sure is! And if you don't think it is, then get out of the way you old fart! There is a young kid right behind you willing to do it!

 I think the basic question here is: Are the riders getting paid to compete, or are they competing to get paid? There is a fundamental difference between the two statements. I would say that most pro Downhill or XC riders are not earning the majority of their income from winning events, but rather from team sponsors. To compare, a 1st place in WC DH earns you 3,750 EURO, even the WC overall winner is only getting 10,000 EURO for their efforts. Hard to say how much a Pro Freerider is earning from sponsorship vs contest money, but you can't put all the blame on rampage, i'm sure sponsors are pushing their riders to show up and compete for the exposure as well!

 The whole "look at what we have to do for only $XX amount of money" argument really doesn't fly with me.

Often we would hear this from Pro-MXers, all along every amateur goes to the tracks and take the same relative risks with arguable much more potential for injury.

The fact is, extreme dudes choose to do extreme things, regardless of the payday.

 I'll throw in my 2c on this as well. I definitely do not ride at the level as these guys, no way. But I consider myself starting as a freerider, that's what got me into the DH scene to begin with.

Also I cannot speak for everyone, just for myself. Here's 2 things I feel like I share with the riders.
1) The love for the sport
2) I have had my fair share of serious injuries that have required surgeries, physical therapy, and down time off the bike.

The things I've gone through likely would deter most people from coming back to this style of riding. I'm not saying never riding again, just the high risk stuff. Although every time I was hurt, I always cursed the fact that I was not going to be able to ride for a significant amount of time. This frustrated me. But...it was never "I'm not doing this again". I understand the risks in the sport yet I try to better myself each season knowing those risks.

I don't get paid to do any of this, I do it because this is what I want to do. Granted with the pro's, there's money involved, but I would think at their roots these are all people that love riding and worked their ass off to get where they are at. Personal goals and love for biking will go a looong way to motivate someone to do something related to this sport. Money is the extra incentive, especially since it's how most of the top guys are making a living.

So is it worth the prize money? I would say yes...because every single rider goes in knowing they "could" win, not that they "will" win. The money isn't guaranteed. But it's also an opportunity to better yourself. Before anyone podiums, you just have to look at their reactions. Most riders when they get to the bottom are so stoked that they made it down, conquered their line, did something they never thought they would do, etc. Should they pay them more? Sure! But I don't believe money isn't the only incentive fueling the riders' fire.

I've followed Rampage damn near since the beginning and will continue. It's an event that really was a game changer. I believe it's the gateway to things that have spawned like Hardline and the Fest Series. With Fest though, it's not about the money at all. the risks are still super high as these guys are going HUGE. It's about throwing down with your boys and having a helluva time doing it. The reason we all got on 2 wheels in the first place

 Let me start off by saying, i respect the riders, and what they are doing for the sport, their careers, and our entertainment. BUT, if you are a pro rider, and not getting paid enough for the risk you're taking for the event SIMPLY OPT OUT! If you want more money, STRIKE! I think posting a video for the public to jump on board and help you get compensated better, isn't the way to go about this. I've heard the same complaints steady, yet the riders continue to show up. STOP COMPETING, IF YOU"RE UNHAPPY WITH THE COMPETITION. Simple. No riders, no rampage, no profit for RedBull, then suddenly you may get what you want... stop feeding the RACOONS!

 Many many comments here. All I have to say is that what we’re seeing at this stage of our sport is it’s “golden era”. MTB right now hearkens back to the era of baseball that saw the likes of Berra, Mantle, Williams etc. Yogi Berra has to have a day job in the winter for most of his career. There was an awful lot of “love of the game” aspect going on in baseball back then much as it is with our sport today. It’s not that baseball didn’t make big money back then. It did. It just wasn’t being given to the players proportionate to their value. One day fans of MTB will hold the names of Zink, Berrecloth, Semenuk etc. with the same reverence as other sports legends. Every year the progression is driven further by riders who are at the top of their abilities. The sport is pushed by these athletes with passion and heart, muscle and bone. These are undeniably some of the best athletes in the world regardless of the chosen sport. The risk factor however is among some of the greatest if not the greatest of any competitive sport. The days of any athlete of the caliber that we see at Rampage having to need an off season day job should be history. Many other greats in other sports have already paid those dues. Pay these athletes and pay them well. Not doing so is completely unethical at the least. No one attends a sporting event hoping to catch a glimpse of the team’s owner. No one goes to Rampage hoping to meet the CEO of Redbull.

 Its about the carnal instinct to be RAD!!! Its not a contest its a lifestyle. If you add too much money to the purse people will then force their decision. It seems like a good balance of reward, ego and personal preference right now. I am not saying its not dangerous. I think RedBull should take more responsibility. But for this risk, the rider has to have skin in the game to enforce the hard decision making process. My two cents.

 I could do without the pretense of scoring the runs. Pay every rider a flat fee to show up and put on a show and make it worthwhile. If you must have a "winner", let the riders vote on the best run, and maybe an audience favorite vote also for some bonus money. The scores mean nothing currently.

 I watch rampage as more of a free ride edit than I view it as a contest.
Judging MTBing tricks like a surf contest is really frustrating when you think the judges blew it, and it pushes guys to do stuff that personally I think is stupid, that know one does in my world.

Red Bull should switch it up this year and make it a race just like Hardline.
I’m just not impressed by the tricks as much as I am seeing smooth fast riding that is timed, and is a lot safer in my mind than what these guys are doing.
Sad to say though I will watch it every year until someone dies, then know one will watch because it will be canceled
Red Bull are you listening, I got more where this came from.

 I always look forward to this and really appreciate RedBull for everything it does. We just need to let this event succeed or die all on it's own. It's raw. Two days to dig means it stays that way. There's HUGE risk for these riders, but if you're doing it for a paycheck then I think you're doing it for the wrong reasons. If the payouts are still attracting the riders RedBull wants to invite, then there's no need to change. Not something we can really control as mere viewers. Sure, we can stop watching, but then that kills the event completely regardless of the will of the riders to turn out and compete.

 I don't really think it's about the money for the top riders. More for notoriety than anything. The money is just a plus. Or just enough to cover the crew, expenses, and logistics.

 These guys are riding this shit and sending it regardless...so I'd say the prize money is just an added bonus to stomping a kick ass run. I mean obviously the competitors want to stand on the top step, and the $$ is rad and all, but I'd venture to say they're not primarily out there for the coin! Don't get me wrong, I love watching Rampage but the media circus is getting ridiculous. Just give me Cam, and his mic and a dozen cameras to cover all angles of all runs and kick the rest to the curb.

 I get that it is the riders' choice to compete and they do it for the love of the sport, but that doesn't change the fact that they are getting taken advantage of. It is on NBC and it is one of the most popular televised events on Red Bull TV. It's a similar situation to how Tour de France riders get shafted when it comes to the television rights and revenues. Rider's should form a union. Also, the builders get next to nothing for their hard work.

 Rampage is the most coveted mtb event every single god damned year for a reason. Its EPIC! Everybody pretty much said, they ride the event for personal gratification and to push the sport. Not to make a shit load of $$. But, yes, there should be better financial incentives for competing and better management of the whole process to give people enough time to make smart decisions and stay "safe". More digs days, more practices days! People love Rampage.

 Its not always about the money. I went rode the new rampage site about a week ago and got paid 0 money. Its not always about the money or the sponsors. I felt as if this was the best way to push myself and my riding and i feel like a lot of the athletes may feel the same.

 I'll bite. Is it worth it? Yes. Look at how much traction it has for us in the industry, people who know bikes think it's the raddest show on dirt and people who can't even ride a bike think it's nuts! They'll watch YouTube videos of crashes and big backflips and brings this riding into the spotlight. I however, lost interest in Rampage a couple years ago. The coverage is too drawn out, I can't really listen to Sal and Cam talk for more than 14 seconds or so, yada yada. Take the "contest" aspect out of it and just have a 2 hour jam session with a "King of the Mountain" voting reveal at the end between the riders and bam! Interest renewed. Minimum 2 full pulls to score, crash 14 times, whatever, as long as you get two scores you're in the running.

 It would be rad to see these guys get what they deserve. lets take just a little bit from all the USA jock/ball sports out there and give it to rampage athletes!!!! These guys are the raddest dudes! They should all make 6 figuires, for sending it!!!! Glad they are so down to keep me entertained! Can not wait to see what is to come new venues, new tricks the future is gonna be great!

 I like to read through Paul Bas's instagram* now and then. "Worst nightmare" is very descriptive. I don't need anyone taking these kind of risks to entertain me, and I don't want to fund it.

*https://www.instagram.com/paulbasmtb/?hl=en

 I don't know if it's an effect of the edit or not, but notice how different Bearclaw and Schleyer's attitudes are?

It's almost a generational thing. (Admittedly Zink and Strait have been there for ages themselves). I wonder if a lot of the guys who come from more contemporary flippy-whippy slopestyle backgrounds HATE it, but to get the respect you have to do it?

 I think everyone who competes should get cash and there should be more cash rewards for those who finish their lines and huge cash for the rider that does the gnarliest run. Gnarliest run voted by the actual riders(cant vote for yourself) Get rid of the judges and scoring altogether. Make it more about the comraderie(splelling) and giving huge props to everyone involved. Also I think builders should get props somehow, as they are a integral part of the event. Also; teach the kids asking for goggles to learn to respect the riders!! Give props and congrats on safe runs, not begging for gear. C'mon parents!

 At the speed RR riders push toward the more more more direction. It's just a matter of time before the shit it the fan. And then, legal department will take care of rest. Risking life for the show is an other ball game SYDNEY HOBART 1998 edition was IMO the firts to cross that line and it cost them.

 If I was Red Bull I would be so sick of hearing people complain about prize money and judging I would just get rid of it.

Same qualifying process, awards for things like best trick, gnarliest line, steepest shoot, biggest jump etc. Then anyone who gets invited gets the whole experience payed for, 5start accommodation, food and the like. No money is really worth putting your life on the line is it?

 What is the purse for top spot?
I think all invitees should get full paid accommodations and travel. and take the money off the table. I cant see how anyone would do that risk for such a small monetary award. You have to love it to do that shit. Besides all the sponsor pickups for doing well (ahem, Nell)

 I'm sure it's worth it for Red Bull. The payouts are laughable. Look at pro video gaming. In Dota 2, the games developer, Valve starts the prize pool at $1 million and then contributes 25% of the in games sales for ~3 months to the prize pool. Last year it was a record-breaking TWENTY-FIVE million dollars. Granted they are on teams of 5 + coaches + team managers etc. but still. I realize the video game industry is much larger than the MTB industry but companies could probably contribute more.

 The way I see it, is if the rider feels the risk is so great that they don't want to take a second run, there needs to be some re-evaluation. At that point the TV product is losing it's shine as well.

Not sure of the solution, but "Made my run, not doing it again" isn't really a great way to run an event, IMO.

 Its awesome how many different ways people can see mountain biking as 'their' sport, from xc to downhill/freeride. And even within these subsets, people still have their own ways of looking at it down to granular level, including style, tricks, and technical prowess. I love freeride/downhill, i dont think id hit anything at rampage without a guaranteed $10mil waiting on the other side

 "Instead of every single advertisement featuring some freerider dragging his rear tire, what if there were more photos of backcountry bikers riding some real singletrack, with gorgeous mountain peaks in the background?"
www.singletracks.com/blog/trail-advocacy/mountain-biking-has-an-identity-crisis-and-it-affects-us-all

 I mean some do it for fun right?

 I think we need to know more about each rider's potential winnings. Don't some sponsors pony up a significant matching dollar amount for winning an event? That must be true of Rampage.

 I have always been amazed with it because I could never do anything like that. I can care less about the competition aspect as I don’t watch crankworx or other slope style events. Rampage for me is all about the awe factor

 It’s worth it for the riders clearly. Most of the talk in the video seemed to be about the reward of making it to the bottom. This I understand and I’m sure most if not all mountain bikers have had this feeling at one time or another. But obviously for some it is not worth the competition. For example at this years rampage many riders chose not to take a second run. I think this is because they did it once and the validation of a potentially higher score isn’t worth it to them. If the competition was changed in the scoring format I think more riders would take a second run. Like brendog I think he didn’t take another run because he knew that his score couldn’t have been improved on but if everything was scored differently he might have because he would have been siting higher in the rankings. This is where I get confused. If a rider says I love the feeling of getting to the bottom why not do it twice? I think it comes down to the scoring and that is what needs to be changed not the cash prize.

 I can tell you they did a great job of destroying it for spectators.. they crammed people in so tight there was no where to sit. I have been for the last 5 years and I'll skip it from now on... very sad.

 Skiing the big mountains is still much riskier then Rampage, and there are plenty of folks not getting paid to do that. And the bikers don't have the mountains wanting to kill them.

 Yes it’s definitely worth it. These guys are getting paid to ride their bikes. They don’t have to work a desk job they just go ride their bikes.

 Well from a viewers perspective... HELL YES. Gives us a good reason to not to spend time with the wifey for a good couple of hours!

 file this under the "existential questions white people can afford to ask" column?

 Brendog got historically robbed

 My opinion? Rampage WAS exiting... Nowadays is a completely bored event, just check the "last run" of the 2018 winner...
New names doesn't mean new (and exiting) tricks... Also, Aggy never win one rampage.

 If the judges got their heads out of their asses and recognize creative lines that blend tech with slope style. #brendongotrobbed

 No too gnarly for the paycheck. I mean if the athletes really want to ok cool go send it but the injuries arent worth it. Have fun yall!

 Obviously yes, if they keep doing it every year and most people enjoy it, and it continues to grow. Lame troll poll, surprised RC didn't write it.

 The real title should “why on earth riders risk taking only 65k and no health coverage for a modern day gladiator event?”

 I wonder what the risk v. reward is for the Red Bull Ad Executive's million dollar bonuses

Relevant The Oatmeal Comic: theoatmeal.com/static/exposure.html

 Tons of people did the stuff for no money, and that's about all I can say. I'd say it's a culmination of people doing what they want. Batman gets paid to do what he wants.

 Rampage suck for 3 years now (even in 018 it sucks and in 019 it will be too i gues). Not in case of riders but in everything other.

 Do it for the adrenaline! Though, I would never have the bravery!

 How much money is glory worth?

 I guess in the winter Pinkbike needs to resort to posting click-baity opinion pieces

 Watching Cam talk about it in the freaking shoulder brace makes my gimped shoulder twinge and my stomach turn a little....

 This was absolutely great......thanks for stuff like this Pinkbike. I think Cam at the end had the best explanation.

 how much do the hosts earn?

 Blame it on Bender.
If (hope to God not) someone dies on that hill on of these years, what will be the impact on our sport?

 doesnt matter if it's Red bull Rampage, DH, Slope Style.. it's not the money, it's personal pride an

 Good to see they all had the same answer. It’s definitely not for the money that’s for sure!!!!

 it's never been about the money, it's about pride

 Online voting for people’s choice with a hefty cash prize alongside the judged results...

 Unless you are a roadie, Mt. Bike and BMX athelete's are screwed all the time!

 why the f*ck is anyone asking ritchie schleys opinion any more? talk about irrelevant...

 Yes 100% worth it. Rampage is the best event of all time!

 I’d do it for 8k!
Lol
I’d never win, maybe make it down the Mtn rubbers down on a lucky day, but definitely nothing like the pros!

 That's an interesting subject for sure. Definitely not for the money.

 I take more risk sitting in front of my computer and struggling to anxiety to ride

 Simple answer, No. more in depth answer, HELL NO.

 For some it might be worth it. But many get robbed.

 I bet if there was no money, no RedBull, no coverage there would still be a rampage. Totally worth it.

 Yes it's worth it. Even if it wasn't recorded I'd be there hitting sick drops!

 Either make the prize 1million or shut r down.

 They need to be compensated for the goggles they hand out.

 I'm curious, is Red Bull (yes, just the drink) worth it?

 Your not truly alive unless you experience RISK for REWARD..

 Only if its L'oreal

 No.

 So it’s close!

 Faaaaaaaaak no!

 Its not MTB its circus acts, but Evil Knievel would be proud.

 Take away the money..and let's see who shows up..but really who cares..

 I would do it for 200K

 Just end the contest. Its stupid and ruins the desert.