B-Team Jiu-Jitsu head coach Nicky Ryan has revealed that he took home nothing from his squad’s win at Craig Jones Invitational 2, despite being offered a share of the event’s profits.
Here is what Ryan had to say in a recent conversation with Tim Welch:
They offered me a percentage, but I don’t know, as an athlete, I know what it’s like going out there and competing.
So they offered me a percentage and I told them no.So I actually made zero dollars off of CJI.
The admission highlights a rare sense of sacrifice in a sport where financial incentives often drive decisions.
Ryan, still carving his legacy as both competitor and coach, prioritized his athletes’ opportunity over his own compensation.
Ironically, his role as head coach only came about because of injury.
Originally slated to compete in the 77kg division, Ryan opted for ACL surgery that sidelined him, opening the door for Joseph Chen to step into the bracket instead:
Initially I was supposed to, you know, was like going to be either me or Joseph Chen in 77.
And then I decided to finally get my ACL repaired.So I knew it wasn’t going to be ready in time.
So we put Joe Chen instead.
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