The Arnold Classic and other Arnold events are some of the biggest in the entire sport of bodybuilding. However they are apparently going to be continuing without the support of Redcon1, who are not happy with comments recently made by Arnold Schwarzenegger, himself.
Redcon1 is one of the most recognizable brands of supplements and nutritional goods in all of strength sports. They have sponsored a wide array of bodybuilders over the years, and regularly have booths at most major contests that take place within the sport, making them one of the most popular brands out there.
However it seems that they will no longer be supporting the Arnold Classic or any other Arnold branded competitions. Speaking in a video on Instagram, CEO Aaron Singerman revealed that they would be withdrawing their sponsorships of these contests, in the wake of some comments made by Arnold Schwarzenegger, regarding the global pandemic and whether or not it impedes freedom to enforce mandates, saying that they can not support contests represented by a man with such different beliefs than their own.
“When somebody says ‘Screw your freedom,’ I can’t and Redcon1 can’t, in good conscience, continue to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars sponsoring that show with a name honoring that person. So there’s no way that I can continue, Redcon1 can continue supporting the Arnold Classic for the future,” Singerman said.
“When you say screw your freedoms, or you’re a schmuck, or a moron, or anything else because you disagree with somebody… I’m not for canceling anybody. Don’t cancel Arnold, but don’t support him, if you’re me. If you like it, go there. I won’t be there unfortunately, so if you’re looking to see Kai Greene and the rest of the Redcon1 athletes and myself, unfortunately you won’t.”
View this post on InstagramGet Fitter, FasterLevel 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!
This does bring up a question about what this means for Redcon1 sponsored athletes who were planning to compete at the Arnold Classic in September, since Singerman says there will not be any athletes there who are sponsored by him. Hopefully, he will not be dropping athletes, simply because they are expressing their own freedom to keep competing there, despite what Arnold said.
Another important thing to note, is that Aaron only picked a small segment of an entire interview with Schwarzenegger, in order to make his point. The full video is below, so fans can draw their own conclusions on what Arnold had to say, and whether or not he is being, as Aaron called him, “un-American.”
“There is a virus here,” Schwarzenegger said. “It kills people and the only way we prevent it is: get vaccinated, wear masks, do social distancing, washing your hands all the time, and not just to think about, ‘well my freedom is being kind of disturbed here.’ No, screw your freedom.”
Obviously, this is a complicated and contentious issue, and Redcon1 is entitled to give their money and support wherever they choose. That being said, the real concern is that this might negatively effect the athletes involved, both with the brand, and the Arnold Classic.
Catch comprehensive coverage of the 2024 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analyses, and complete Arnold Classic results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
I’m offended that Redcon1 is offended. So I’m boycotting them! Time to switch to Gaspari supplements. I mean that is how we respond when we are upset right? Just block each other out and cancel what we don’t like?
I think Arnold is going to care as much about this as a bead of sweat rolling off his nut sack. The only people this hurts are the Redcon1 athletes that dream of competing on the seconded biggest stage in their sport.
Way to create an issue where there was no need for one.
I’m offended that people are offended about Redcon1 being offended by Arnold. It shouldn’t be a big deal.
Anyone who says “screw your freedoms” but has made millions upon millions of dollars from exercising those very same freedoms is a hypocrite. “All for me and none for thee” attitudes make me sick.
Should we talk about Arnold’s father being a Nazi sympathizer when he was growing up in Austria?
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-14-me-father14-story.html
You are lying to yourself if you think the Left wouldn’t be smashing someone on the Right for the very same thing. I support Redcon1 and their decision. As a freedom-loving, red-blooded American, I can no longer support anyone who wants to screw my freedoms.
Dickheads. Read the whole article or listen to the whole video. Morons.
Very over the top reaction by Redcon1. I believe over 630,000 US lives have been lost to this virus and the virus is relentless. You are free to believe or not to believe in the validity of it and how it has impacted upon familes, communties and economies. Social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing is saving lives and is allowing the virus to pass through at a far more managable rate. Arnie’s comments were strong and straight to the point.
Redcon1 has just damaged themselves tremendously here, this fashion of breaking off all ties with someone with a different opinion is insane. Arnie has been around for decades and is unique in achiement and maketability. Redcon1 is one of many supplement companies and it’s entire range can be easily replaced. This was like a ‘woke’ teenager mouthing off at it’s parent (without Arnie this company would be very different -smaller!) Not good for Redcon1 at all.
I laughed when the guy said this isn’t a partisan issue. It is 100% a political move because he disagrees with Arnold’s politics (he even referenced the many other things Arnold has said in the past). This guy needs to look up the word “context.” He acted like Arnold said “screw your freedoms” and that’s all. Very disingenuous and obviously politically motivated. He’s clearly very conservative. That’s fine but don’t affect other people’s (athletes) lives NEGATIVELY because of your beliefs. To be clear, Arnold’s opinion is 100% intended to save lives…not to negatively affect them.
That a supposed health-related company would cut ties with someone because they support health and safety measures is truly ironic.
Some people are just ignorant (about Covid and other things) and will use their power combined with their stupidity to hurt other people.
So nice to see a company refusing to toe the woke line. Time to buy some Redcon1 products!…
It’s your right to be petty. You disagree and think you have the pull to “cancel” without “canceling”, do it. Unfortunately, Arnold is an institution. As a business person, this is a huge risk, that really isn’t a good look. The Red-whatever brand will pick up 2 people and lose thousands in the process.
The generation 100 years ago dealt with the Spanish flu, WW1, the Great Depression, and WW2 plus they didn’t have the advancements we all are privileged to enjoy today. If all they had to do was wear a mask, social distance, wash hands, & get a vaccine…they would gladly trade places with the current selfish, spoiled, & entitled generation!! At the end of the day it’s about doing what’s right for EVERYONE!!!
Really disappointed that they chose to pull a 3 second clip of an interview where Arnold was very clearly articulating the damage that misinformation and individualism has the potential to deal out in the context of a GLOBAL DISASTER.
He was essentially saying your inconvenience is not more consequential than the millions of dead across the globe.
Saddened for the Redcon athletes who never deserved this selfish and short sighted treatment. I hear Hosstile is hiring!
Really disappointed that they chose to pull a 3 second clip of an interview where Arnold was very clearly articulating the damage that misinformation and individualism has the potential to deal out in the context of a GLOBAL DISASTER.
He was essentially saying your inconvenience is not more consequential than the millions of dead across the globe.
Saddened for the Redcon athletes who never deserved this selfish and short sighted treatment. I hear Hosstile is hiring!
Redcon1 should be boycotted. Anyone who refuses the vaccine and flaunts not wearing a mask is a moron. Because they are putting other people at risk. The vaccine and the mandates are about the greater good, not the individual. If you cannot or refuse to understand the simple concept of the greater good, get yourself onto a rocket and leave the planet. You are no longer welcome!
Don’t y’all just love VIRTUE SIGNALING as much as I do!
Funny how 1 guy says screw you and the left agrees, a company says we don’t support this and cancel culture says we hate you.
Please listen to the whole video and not just make judgements based on a three word clip. Everything that Arnold said on that interview is 100% on the money and is backed up by the information from medical experts.
Freedom without responsibility is not only ignorant, its dangerous.
I believe I will now switch to Redcon1 exclusively. “Screw your freedoms” is spoken like a typical European who understands nothing about the America lives lost to gain true freedom in this nation. Arnie understands nothing and is a privileged millionaire who made his millions off the very freedoms he is disparaging.
I see we have several “schmucks” in the comments.
Our every move is being closely monitored by your phone company and all the social media platforms. We vacinate our dogs against rabies an other disease or conditions for our saftey. Now we have to do some ourselves for humanity. This is not the wild west there are peoples lives at risk get vaccinated wear a mask wash your hands.Long live Arnold. Boycott redcon1