With 16 weeks until the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest, bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler opened up about the show’s prize money. In a recent YouTube video, Cutler suggested that Mr. Olympia would benefit from offering a more balanced pay structure for its finishers instead of awarding $400,000 to the first-place participant.
Last year, the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest was packed with action and ultimately saw Derek Lunsford emerge as the sport’s first two-division champion. Not only did he manage to etch his name permanently into the Sandow trophy, but Lunsord also netted an impressive $400,000 cash prize. Meanwhile, Hadi Choopan walked away in second place with $150,000.
Given the difference in pay, Cutler tackled whether or not changes need to be made. He contends that Mr. Olympia could benefit from offering more money to finishers outside of first place. Cutler also points out that making money in bodybuilding has become increasingly challenging because the sponsorship landscape has changed.
Jay Cutler Calls for Mr. Olympia Prize Money Revamp to Award Those Outside of 1st Place
Cutler questioned the fairness of the Olympia champion receiving $400,000, pointing out that when he claimed his first title, the payout for second place was only $35,000 less than the winner’s prize. He believes the sport would benefit from spreading the money to competitors outside of first place.
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“It’s hard when the Mr. Olympia is 400 and then the next second place is 150. Is that really fair in a sense? I mean, when I was competing, first was 110, and then 75 for second.
When I won, it was 200 then it was like 100 for second. I think it needs to be a little closer range so if I can give any advice, I would spread that money and say ‘Hey, let’s give a little bit.’
Looking back on his career, Cutler mentioned that sponsors softened the financial blow he took when coming up short on the Olympia stage.
“Listen, there can only be one guy winning. I’ve been first and almost last at the Olympia. I got nothing [for last]. But listen, I did it because I loved it. Back then, I didn’t really think until you start winning prize money you’re like holy crap it costs money to do this. I had sponsors and everything else. Now, today, it’s harder to get that sponsorship,” shares Jay Cutler.
Cutler Discusses Diet and Protein Assimilation
Switching gears, Cutler discussed some of his dietary tendencies and whether or not the body can assimilate large amounts of protein at once.
“There’s a lot of questions about hey what diet works best for me? I know Nick Walker is a huge fats guys. He uses avocado and almond butter and that kind of stuff. For me, I just think following that rigid diet, six meals a day, I don’t care who you are, I don’t care if you’re an average gymgoer, five or six proportionate meals a day I think is great for someone.”
“I just had this whole thing on 100 grams of protein for breakfast and people arguing on my Instagram post ‘You can’t use 100 grams of protein.’ Now research is showing it, if you said this 15 years ago people would say no way. Now studies are showing that you can actually assimilate it.”
This hasn’t been the first time Jay Cutler has tackled prize money incentives at high-profile bodybuilding shows. Following Hadi Choopan’s dominant victory at the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio, bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that the 2025 Arnold Classic would award the winner a staggering $500,000. This unprecedented move received mixed reactions with some competitors from Women’s Physique and Women’s Bodybuilding calling for more inclusivity.
Many believe that Mr. Olympia is now under the gun to revamp their prize money after Schwarzenegger’s Men’s Open prize money increase. Do you believe second place and beyond should receive additional money or is the Olympia payout structure fine as it is?
Watch the full video from the Cutler Cast YouTube channel below:
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