The growing popularity of Powerslap and other slapping competitions has sparked the interest of many people wondering how much these slappers actually make.
As with any sport, the amount of money a player makes can vary greatly depending on their skill level, popularity, and competition payouts.
Projections are also difficult to make as the sport is still relatively new and constantly evolving. But we can make some estimates based on current trends and information.
How Much Do Powerslap Athletes Get Paid?
According to CBS News, participants can earn anywhere between $2,000 to $10,000 per match. Similarly to the UFC, fight bonuses are given out with a $10,000 bonus for select matches.
With a growing fan base and increasing media attention, it is likely that these numbers will continue to rise. Is this a good thing though? Stephen Cloobeck, who was the chair of the Nevada commission when they authorized slap fighting last fall, expressed remorse for this decision.
He might be right for this regret. With more money going into the sport, more hopefuls may be tempted to enter and push themselves beyond their physical limits. With training camps popping up, it could lead to potential injuries and even long-term health consequences.
Who knows if sparring sessions are going to start popping up like they do in MMA or boxing to prepare for these slap fights? All of this is a possibility. And we know that no one gets paid during sparring.
As per a reddit comment, these slapping events were made viral around the year 2020. It was Eastern European countries that started hosting these tournaments. Known for being a hub of strange fighting trends and weird MMA rules, the events quickly gained attention and popularity.
He explained that the winner received about $475 USD in the first tournament, which is arguable not much at all. The champion of the Slap Fighting Championship event in Romania, where one fighter endured a disfigured face, claimed the title along with a prize of approximately $5,500 USD.
Is It Worth It?
In Poland, during the Punchdown 5 event, the competitor was taken to the hospital, placed in a medically induced coma, and ultimately died in November from multi-organ failure. Artur ‘Waluś’ Walczak was the name of the Polish man who passed away participating in a competition like this.
So, is the monetary reward and fame worth the risk of serious injury or death? It ultimately depends on the individual athlete and their personal values. However, it’s a poor ROI and unsymmetrical risk-to-reward ratio. The ONLY way it would be worth it is if they were to go first and knock out their opponent before they could hit back.
To be fair, the same can be said about MMA and boxing. Every time an athlete steps into the ring or cage, they are putting their health and safety on the line.
However, in those sports, there is a higher level of skill and technique involved, which can potentially minimize the risk of injury. They are encouraged to protect themselves while in Powerslap and other similar events, you are penalized for defensive tactics.
Maybe the fame they get can be monetized later on as even the losers are gaining recognition for their violent downfalls. But, at what cost? CTE is serious. It’ll be more difficult to maintain a job to pay the bills and support themselves once they retire with declined cognitive abilities. And even in their prime, the money made from Powerslap is nowhere near as much as other combat sports.
Sponsorships and Other Sources of Income
Aside from competition winnings, many Powerslap athletes also earn money through sponsorships. These can include clothing and equipment brands, energy drink companies, and other businesses looking to capitalize on the popularity of the sport. However, these sponsorships can also be hard to come by for Powerslap athletes.
Unlike mainstream combat sports like MMA and boxing, Powerslap is still a relatively niche sport with a smaller fanbase. This means fewer potential customers for sponsors to reach through athlete endorsements. Additionally, the rough nature of Powerslap may also deter some companies from wanting to associate themselves with the sport.
Many MMA fighters disdain it and the negative halo-effect is also likely to affect investors in Powerslap. This can make it difficult for athletes to secure sustainable sponsorship deals, even if the eyes on the sport are growing.
Negative association would hurt a brand more than help it, so Powerslap athletes often have to work harder and market themselves creatively to attract sponsorships. Companies such as Monster doesn’t seem to mind but they are not known as a brand that promotes wellness anyways…
Will They Be Paid More In The Future?
Dana White has been notoriously critized for not paying his UFC fighters as well as he should be many times. With this in mind, can we expect Powerslap to pay their athletes better as the sport grows in popularity?
It’s hard to say for sure, but with more eyes on the sport and potential for larger sponsorships and TV deals, it’s possible that athlete salaries could increase in the future.
But to match the level of pay in other combat sports like MMA or boxing, Powerslap would need to see a significant increase in viewership and revenue.
Additionally, with the rising concern for athlete safety, it’s important for organizations like Powerslap to prioritize fair compensation and ensure their athletes are receiving proper medical care and support.
Is it possible that the entire organization gets shut down and banned altogether? It’s a possibility. Arguing for MMA was difficult enough when the sport was in its early stages. The same could happen with Powerslap if safety concerns are not addressed and regulations are not put in place.
Dana White is confident about the growth of Powerslap. He explains that with the biggest influencers at Powerslap 6 and its growing stream viewership, the sport will only go up from here. However, it’s important to remember that money and fame do not always equate to success. If you are not able to function due to long term brain damage, is it really worth the risk?
This is a question that needs to be answered and addressed by Powerslap and its leaders as the sport continues to gain popularity. The influence and impact of Powerslap can be huge, but it’s important for the organization to prioritize the well-being of its athletes above all else.
Final Thoughts
Dana White is becoming like the modern P.T. Barnum of sports with his promotional skills for Powerslap. Let’s not forget that Dana White is a promotor and salesman above all else. He knows how to hype up a fight, create drama, and attract attention to Powerslap. This has been one of the main factors in the success of the UFC.
Some of the celebrities there might have been there on their own accord, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they were paid either monetarily or influenced through friendships. The growing social proof and popularity of Powerslap has become a powerful draw for celebrities, who are always looking to stay relevant and be seen in the public eye.
As a partner to the UFC, the organizers of Powerslap might make use of these celebrities to boost their own brand and attract a wider audience. It’s no secret that celebrity endorsements can greatly impact the success of a product or event. Like Barnum, fame is rewarded for the ‘draws’ while the promotors are the ones that truly get paid the bulk of the rewards. It’s classic showmanship in the modern world.
