The 2024 Arnold Classic concluded and fans of the sport are still talking about that incredible weekend after an exciting announcement stirred the pot in the bodybuilding community. In a recent video, Bob Cicherillo shares his thoughts on Arnold Schwarzenegger increasing the Men’s Open winner prize money. He also addresses the backlash stemming from female athletes who feel their categories aren’t being afforded equal opportunities.
The 2024 Arnold Classic was an action-packed event filled with thrilling wins including Classic Physique competitor Wesley Vissers dethroning Ramon Rocha Queiroz and three-time Olympia Wellness champion Francielle Mattos adding to her already stacked mantle of achievements.
However, the most anticipated division to take the stage was Men’s Open where former Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan faced off with the 2023 Arnold Classic champion Samson Dauda in an explosive display of muscle and showmanship. Ultimately, Choopan’s impeccable conditioning and unmatched posing routine earned him his first-ever Arnold Classic title.
Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t ready to let the thrill end as he took to the stage to not only crown Hadi Choopan as the Men’s Open winner but to also make a shocking announcement that would shake up the bodybuilding community. Schwarzenegger revealed that in 2025 the Open winner prize money would increase to $500,000. This surpasses the Olympia first-place prize money by $100,000.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
Bob Cicherillo Talks Women’s Inequality Backlash After 2024 Arnold Classic Open Winner Prize Money Increase
In light of this declaration, many fans of the sport are left wondering if the Olympia will respond in kind by also increasing the cash for the Open winner. In a recent YouTube video, Bob Cicherillo explains his take on the situation having been there behind the scenes.
“He says I know this is something that’s been going on for year’s and we kinda had a handshake deal with Ben Weider, kinda went a little bit into the history for those bodybuilding historians that are out there watching, about how they basically had a handshake deal and principle that the Arnold prize money would never exceed the Olympia prize money.”
Although Schwarzenegger had an unspoken agreement to never go beyond what the Olympia was paying, it appears he’s done playing by the rules, shocking everyone with his latest boost in Men’s Open winner prize money.
“Well he said, Ben and Joe god bless them they aren’t here anymore and I feel as though I want to bump this prize money up and he made a declaration right there, that he made later that night on stage, that he is going to increase the prize money to $500,000. Now why is this significant? Well one, it’s a half a million dollars. Two, that exceeds the Olympia prize money.”
Cicherillo clarifies that the increase in money only applies to the Men’s Open division, not all divisions participating in the event.
“When he says increase the prize, he’s not talking across the board. First place at the Arnold next year, according to Arnold, he is going to increase the first place award to half a million dollars. That is $100,000 over Olympia. So, this changing the landscape about a whole lot of things”
Cicherillo considers it good for not only the athletes but for the sport as a whole. He also discusses whether or not he believes the Olympia will follow in Schwarzenegger’s footsteps, highlighting the added responsibilities that they face that could stand in the way of a bigger cash prize.
“First and foremost let me give you my stance. It’s great for the athletes.”
“I applaud Arnold. Listen, again great for the athletes. Good for the sport overall. I hope the Olympia keeps pace. I’m sure they are looking at their options now and what to do” Bob Cicherillo said.
“The Olympia also has the burden of getting up to 400 athletes that qualify at the Olympia every year. You are talking about flights, hotels per diem all that stuff for every athlete. you’re talking a ton of money folks trust me I’ve worked behind the scenes.”
“Now, will they fire back and increase that prize money? I certainly hope so. I would love to see $1,000,000 prize money at the Olympia. I think this opens things up for the sport in general.”
Bob Cicherillo discusses the backlash that the Arnold received following Schwarzenegger’s Men’s Open winner prize money increase.
“Let’s address the elephant in the room because I’ve already seen and I knew this was coming the second Arnold made that announcement I could have predicted you’re gonna get some backlash from some of those divisions that aren’t exactly there.
“I’ve seen it. Oh I’m glad he can increase the prize money for the guys, what about us? What about our division isn’t even there? What about us this isn’t fair? What’s fair? What’s equitable? This is the discussion that we need to be having.”
Cicherillo breaks down the inner-workings of the sport and how the IFBB Pro League differs from the NPC.
“Listen, especially some of the ladies divisions okay. This is a business first and foremost. I’m going to tell you right now, much like the NBA subsidizes the WNBA okay, this isn’t the NPC. So first of all you gotta separate church and state.”
“The NPC is a much different business model than the IFBB pro league. At the NPC level, absolutely right, I’m with you. Two-thirds of the divisions classes and things are women. Okay, and listen it is an amateur show they all get paid the same which is zero. SO that is fair and equitable. It is an amateur division.”
Additionally, Bob Cicherillo expresses that Men’s Open and Classic Physique are by far the most popular and lucrative divisions in the IFBB Pro League.
“Men’s Open and Classic are the two biggest breadwinners that we have in at the Pro level. That’s a fact. This Arnold, the Olympia, any major show, 95, and I’m being nice with this it might be higher, 95% of the people that are there are there for the Open. Are there for the big boys. That’s a fact.”
When Arnold Schwarzenegger first announced that the 2025 Arnold Classic Open winner prize money would increase, it was former ten-time Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle who called for equality and recognition for women in bodybuilding. Holding the most Olympia titles ever, Kyle respectfully called for a change in the way the event represents women.
It seems that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s need to change the rules has shaken up the bodybuilding community. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if the Olympia competition will decide to increase their Open winner cash prize. They are also wondering how Schwarzenegger will react to the criticism he’s received for not including all divisions in the Arnold Classic.
RELATED: 2024 Arnold Classic Prize Money Breakdown For All Divisions
To watch Bob Cicherillo’s full video, click the link below:
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
