MMA Junkie reports the salaries for this past Saturday’s Strikeforce event. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza topped the list with Ronda Rousey only receiving $40,000 for her armbar victory over Sarah Kaufman.
The salaries were released by the California State Athletic Commission.
Via MMA Junkie:
Ronda Rousey: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus) def. Sarah Kaufman: $17,000
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza: $94,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus) def. Derek Brunson: $13,000
Tarec Saffiedine: $35,000 (includes $17,500 win bonus) def. Roger Bowling: $10,000
Anthony Smith: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus) def. Lumumba Sayers: $7,000
Ovince St. Preux: $34,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus) def. T.J. Cook: $3,000
Miesha Tate: $38,000 (includes $19,000 win bonus) def. Julie Kedzie: $5,000
Adian Amagov: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) def. Keith Berry: $2,000
Germaine de Randamie: $15,000 (includes $7,500 win bonus) def. Hiroko Yamanaka: $8,000
Bobby Green: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Matt Ricehouse: $5,000
Payout Perspective:
A $20,000 base for Rousey is an actual raise from her last fight against Miesha Tate. Rousey made $15K (with a $17K win bonus for a total of $32K) against Tate this past March. For the amount of promotion that went behind Rousey, it’s incredible to think that she only made $40,000 in salary (this excludes sponsor money and locker room bonus). If Dana White warms to women’s MMA we will see if that means appropriate wages for its top of the card fighters like Rousey.
Wages are appropriate based on what the nearest competitor is shelling out.
How much is Invicta paying?
Strikeforce as a brand doesn’t make money from the gate.Alot of the times the fighters payout,is higher then the total gate.When Fedor fought he actually cost Strikeforce money.At 1.5 million there was no way,Strikeforce could made any money from the gate.
Its called contracts people. You get paids X amount based on X number of fights. If you keep winning you will be under paid for a few fights. If you lose you will be over paid for a few fights. Rousey will be under paid until her contract is up and she gets a new deal. Why do people expect the contract to magically change every fight? This isnt the Never Ending Story. The contract pages dont magically fill in based on wether you win or lose your fight. It is what it is. She will cash in soon enough. Especially if her performance reflects in the ratings.
It’s also called contract re-negotiations. Just like Zuffa can fire a fighter at any time (even if they have fights left on their contract) popular/successful fighters can re-negotiate if they feel they have the power to do so (Nick Diaz is a good example when he went to the UFC, or Carlos Condit after he won the belt). Of course with a Zuffa monopoly that’s tough to do.
Xuffa puts it in their contract to be able to release them. Fighters have the right to hold out and not fight with fights left on their contract. But it isnt wise. Sometimes Zuffa will do them a solid if they are reasonable and deserve a new contract. However the fighter has very little leverage. Zuffa has told many a champion to take a walk. No fighter has ever beat them. If you have fights left you are not going to fight anywhere else for years. Ask Randy.
Now bad to Ronda. What leverage does she have? After this fight she has a little more IF the ratings are good. Be the facts are she is running out of fights. She is in a division (female MMA) that has almost no future. She is in Strieforce that could be scraped any day. Curtainly doesnt have more than a couple years left. The last thing she wants to do is rock the boat when the division could already be in trouble.
Now i just looked up the recent strikeforce ratings. The event did 529,000 viewers which is very good and up slightly from her last fight. She should get a very good deal when her contract is up. I personally, in their shoes, would never try to renegotiate unless it was for a drastic change. I would take the Rich Franklin route and fight out my contract. People who reneg and dont honor their contract tend to not have a happen ending. You dont screw over the people who pick your fights. At this point what is realistic for rousey? 40K and 40K? 60/60? IS it worth rocking the boat for that? I dont think so. I also dont think it would be smart to reneg right before the biggest fights of your career. She still has possible fighs with Cyborg and Carano. winning one of those will boost here to another level. That is when her contract will be about up. Dont sign a contract you dont intend to honor.
I don’t see how Strikeforce makes any money for ZUFFA.Rousey has buzz and a win streak.But in terms of dollars.She brings little to the table.