Massive prize money has been one of the biggest drivers of CJI’s success, giving Craig Jones the leverage to pull in the sport’s biggest names.
But based on a recent Q&A answer, that formula may be shifting.
Here is what Jones had to say on the next event’s purse:
Obviously I’m not good with finances, so don’t expect a million dollars again, but expect something exciting to happen.
CJI’s back. If it ain’t in the pit, it ain’t sh*t.
That’s a notable shift from his last update on the subject, when he floated the idea of a $10 million tournament featuring eight competitors.
But even with a smaller purse, CJI’s return would still be major news, and the event’s reputation alone should be enough to draw top-tier talent.
Running these events isn’t cheap regardless of what athletes are paid, and Jones alluded to just how costly the first two instalments were with a joking aside:
In hindsight, sure, I wish I had embezzled $7 million into my bank account, but I didn’t.
And I’m happy for them to have it.
No details have been confirmed yet on prize structure, format, or timeline for the next event, but Jones’ comments suggest CJI is coming back in some form.
Check out the full video below:
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