Craig Jones recently voiced his concerns regarding the stagnant growth of prize money in the sport, despite its increasing popularity.

In a discussion with The Mac Life, Jones pointed out the diminishing real value of prize money due to inflation, particularly highlighting the unchanged payouts from events such as the ADCC:

Well technically, due to inflation the ADCC prize money is diminished.
$10,000 is worth less today.

I didn’t want to rub it in that bad, but I think I will.

The conversation also touched on broader economic trends, likening the situation to “corporate America” where the disparity between work and compensation continues to grow.

The example of dynamic pricing by companies like Wendy’s was brought up, leading Jones to comment:

Wendy’s deserves it, FloGrappling doesn’t.
I don’t think us athletes do either.

The idea of unionizing was suggested as a possible solution to advocate for better prize money and overall compensation for athletes in the grappling world.

However, Jones humorously noted the potential hurdles:

The average grappler couldn’t spell “union”.

Jones’ comments highlight the need for more substantial financial incentives for competitors…
Especially in prestigious tournaments such as the ADCC – where there is no appearance fee, and athletes compete solely for prize money.

Gordon Ryan, a former teammate of Jones, has recently come to the defense of the prize money offered by ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), especially in the wake of criticism. He took to Instagram to share his views, asserting that over the last thirty years, Sheikh Tahnoon, the founder of the ADCC, has invested and subsequently lost tens of millions of dollars in the organization.

Ryan addresses the financial aspect of ADCC, claiming that despite significant increases in ticket sales, merchandise sales, entry fees from ADCC Trials, and the inception of ADCC Open events which also charge entry fees, the organization is still not profitable. He also mentions the partnership with FloSports for streaming rights, highlighting the event’s crucial role in FloSports’ marketing efforts.

Regarding the prize money, Ryan expresses that the ADCC World Championship, often likened to the Olympics of grappling, should maintain its current prize structure to preserve its prestige. He believes that increasing the prize money could compromise the event’s esteemed reputation unless it becomes the highest-paying event in the grappling world, at least for the male divisions.

Ryan humbly states that he doesn’t expect more than what is offered, acknowledging that his participation in ADCC has significantly boosted ticket sales and FloSports subscriptions. As one of the most dominant figures in no-gi grappling, his presence alone attracts thousands of fans and subscribers eager to witness his performance.