Dennis James was joined by common brothers in iron, Milos “The Thoughts” Sarcev and Chris Cormier on Episode 233 of The Menace Podcast, they usually mentioned the breaking information that the winner within the open division on the 2026 Arnold Traditional will take house $750,000.
The primary official Arnold Traditional made its debut in 1989 and was received by Wealthy Gaspari, who took house $55,000 for his efforts. That very same 12 months, the already hotly established Olympia contest awarded $170,000 to winner Lee Haney. However that hole has been getting as slim as a number of the waists on stage. The highest prize for Mr Olympia in 2024 was $600,000, that means that except the purse is elevated, The 750K Arnold verify is now the richest prize.
It’s a “pissing contest,” remarked Sarcev together with his particular model of honesty. “Look, we have been combating for 100 and $130,000,” laughed host Dennis James. In fact, the business is now buzzing with anticipation over how the Olympia contest will reply. “And now… if it goes as much as 1,000,000 {dollars}, which means second place could be half 1,000,000 in all probability,” mentioned James, commenting that for those who improve the highest of the dimensions, then it’s important to improve it a little bit for everybody else. “However what I see occurring right here is The Arnold is making an attempt to compete with the Olympia in terms of prize cash as probably the most prestigious present,” added James. “We all know the Olympia is probably the most prestigious present, as a result of the Olympia was all these years, sixty years.”
James speculated that the late Joe Weider might, at one time, have had a cope with Arnold Schwarzenegger to make it possible for the bodybuilder-turned-actor didn’t compete with the Olympia prize cash. However that deal appeared to have been thrown out of the window when Arnold hit the $500,000 threshold. Final 12 months nevertheless, the battle of the financial institution was nonetheless received by the Olympia, as the highest prize was elevated to $600,000.
What does the $750,000 prize cash for the 2026 Arnold imply for bodybuilding?
“So, now Arnold goes in and says it’s 750k,” defined James. “What does that imply? Is prestigious [meaning] the one which pays probably the most? Or is probably the most prestigious present, will it at all times be the Olympia as a result of ‘it’s the Olympia.’”
Sarcev answered that folks are inclined to go wherever the cash is, so perceptions can change over time. “It’s thrilling instances to be a bodybuilder,” he famous. “Dennis, whenever you and I beginning, if there was prize cash it was similar to a little bit bonus,” mirrored Sarcev. “Chris (Cormier), he was extra constant, you have been at all times within the cash.” Nonetheless, Cormier appeared aghast on the cash some rivals are making today, agreeing with “The Thoughts” that Mr Olympia might quickly hit $1,000,0000. The panel famous that whereas the full prize purse for The Arnold has elevated, simply how this can be distributed amongst different placings shouldn’t be but public data.
In fact, one other testy difficulty is the distinction between what the boys and the ladies are paid, and it’s a fancy topic that was dropped at the floor in a latest put up by feminine Olympia icon, Linda Murray criticizing Arnold for making an announcement that didn’t embrace the ladies.
To look at the entire episode, the place the fellows additionally mentioned how aggressive bodybuilders cope with carbs earlier than hitting the stage, and Sarcev’s beef with Giles Thomas over whether or not or not Ugolnikov “Goodvito” Vitalii ought to have competed on the 2025 Pittsburgh Professional, see under:
