MotoGP prize money?

**mynameis** · 20th July 2009, 13:52

Right so much do these guys pocket from podium finish, wins, championship titles, endorsements ect ect.. ?

Why don't we ever hear about it in the media like we do with golf, soccer, tennis, rugby, basketball ?

I heard Rossi owed a few mil in tax sometime back, but he's Italian

**vifferman** · 20th July 2009, 14:14

Most of their income is from sponsorship deals - the more they win, the more sponsors they can get, and the more the sponsors are prepared to pay.
There are also prizes for winning pole position, best rookie, track record, etc. F'rinstance, BMW have car prizes each year. These are usually sold and the proceeds split amongst the pit crew, with the philosophy being that if the rider is doing well, part of that must be due to the good work the crew is doing.

It's not going to be widely publicised how much they win for various things though. Rossi allegedly earned US$35 meeeeleeons this year, placing him fifth for this year, and is reportedly the highest earning sportsperson overall, due to most sportspeople having fairly short-term periods at the top of their game.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 20th July 2009, 14:20

Originally Posted by mynameis

Right so much do these guys pocket from podium finish, wins, championship titles, endorsements ect ect.. ?

Why don't we ever hear about it in the media like we do with golf, soccer, tennis, rugby, basketball ?

I heard Rossi owed a few mil in tax sometime back, but he's Italian

my limited understanding is that F1 drivers are very well paid, as are top US Indycar/Nascar guys. Ben Spies apparently took a large pay cut to go to WSB from US racing. and I read that $35M figure for Rossi too.

Its very little compared to how much the corporations that run it make. and every penny earned.

I did hear one of the BBC commentators saying that Gabor Talmasci got his ride because he bought a BIG wedge of sponsorship coin to his team from Hungarian petro-giant.

**NinjaBoy** · 20th July 2009, 18:34

Originally Posted by vifferman

BMW have car prizes each year. These are usually sold and the proceeds split amongst the pit crew,
It's not going to be widely publicised how much they win for various things .

Not always... I read somewhere Stoner kept his one and gave one to his wife and in-laws ! On the other hand I read that Hayden gave his one to the team to sell and re-invest in the team

**NinjaBoy** · 20th July 2009, 18:37

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

that Gabor Talmasci got his ride because he bought a BIG wedge of sponsorship coin to his team from Hungarian petro-giant.

There's a good reason why Melandri is still in MotoGP and Hopper isn't. When the Monster Energy money went to Yamaha Hopper was left out in the cold.

**pritch** · 21st July 2009, 08:59

Originally Posted by mynameis

Why don't we ever hear about it in the media like we do with golf, soccer, tennis, rugby, basketball ?

I heard Rossi owed a few mil in tax sometime back, but he's Italian

Bike mags and other print these things fairly often. Sports Illustrated was, I think, the most recent list of sports earners I saw. Two lists: one USA, one foreign.

Rossi's advice was to live in England to save on tax. The Italian tax people decided that he didn't really live in England because he had a house, car, boat, or whatever, in Italy. So they demanded several years back taxes...

**mynameis** · 22nd July 2009, 00:43

They don't have a "money leaderboard" like in other sports? Look at golf and tennis you can see who has earned how much from which tournament.

Anyways just a little perv:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZvB4FQSfEM[/youtube]

**SWERVE** · 25th July 2009, 17:32

Just watched a recording of last moto gp round and YES best turn out of grid girls to date. Only noticed while looking at bikes HONEST.................

**sharky** · 25th July 2009, 17:37

Originally Posted by SWERVE

Just watched a recording of last moto gp round and YES best turn out of grid girls to date. Only noticed while looking at bikes HONEST.................

How can Vale be a fairy with all that scrumpet around........?