Lee Priest is shedding light on the latest scandal to rock the sport. On Oct. 21, he called out the 2025 Masters Olympia promoter for failing to pay athletes more than three months after the event. Phil Clahar, who took silver on the prestigious stage, also spoke up and shared that he’s been told to remain patient.
The Masters Olympia features bodybuilders over the age of 40 and has long been a celebrated event in the IFBB Pro League. The competition has seen countless top-tier athletes secure gold, including Robby Robinson, Vince Taylor, and former 2008 Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson.
The 2025 Masters Olympia Open results saw Dorian Haywood pick up the title. The outcome was controversial, with some arguing Clahar did enough to secure the victory. If the loss didn’t sting enough, the fact that athletes haven’t been paid adds insult to injury.
Lee Priest Draws Attention to Masters Olympia Organizers for Not Paying Athletes 3+ Months Since the Event
In the Instagram reel, Priest was upset to discover that athletes from the 2025 Masters Olympia hadn’t been paid. He warned that this same promoter is set to host the Japan Pro and Amateur Olympia.
“I know some people don’t like Matt because he brings up different topics, but what’s going on here all these guys went to the show dieted their asses off went over their competed and now they’re being told to be patient.
How many months later they still haven’t got money and nothing‘s been done and now the same promoter is putting on the Japan pro Show where did you get the money for that when he hasn’t paid the other people if I was going to the Japan pro show? I’ll be very careful.”
Priest explained that the promoter made excuses, citing unexpected overhead costs:
“His excuse was it was more expensive than he anticipated putting on a show so the athletes still haven’t been paid watch Musclediscord and let me know what you think about this situation because it’s not right,” said Lee Priest.
After Priest brought attention to the issue, Phil Clahar gave his two cents on the situation.
“Thank you @leepriestofficial72 for bringing light to this scandal. We have been waiting months for our money with no one intervening from the IFBB or Mr. Olympia on our behalf. We have every message and email to show how we have been dismissed.”
Clahar emphasized that he won’t stop until all athletes are paid their prize money.
“The promoter is saying to he patient because the operational costs were more than he expected. But as you said the Japan pro is next month and he is also promoting the Amateur Olympia in Japan next month.
Im sure the league got their sanction fees! We are far from done. I have had many of the pros that won reach out to me to help and I’m not stopping till everyone is paid!
This wasn’t Priest’s first time criticizing a bodybuilding event. After the 2023 Mr. Olympia, he was asked why all the athletes looked off. He chalked up the issue to poor lighting and called on the organizers to listen to the competitors and their frustrations.
The Masters Olympia took place in August, yet athletes still haven’t been paid. Priest hopes this gets resolved as soon as possible, as it negatively impacts competitors who’ve helped grow the sport to what it is today.
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