Why does EliteXC pay Kimbo Slice so much money?

Question

He gets at least six figures (just in payout/base salary) for each of his fights.

The guy's a street thug. They can get him for $50K/fight. Why does EliteXC overpay him?

The guy's overvalued.

Answer 1

because they are trying to market him so they can make more money, most fans for some reason thinks he's unbeatable, which obviously isn't true. So as long as he has a big fan base they are gonna pay him more and market him more so they get more money, in the end it's all about putting money in their pockets

Answer 2

You have to understand there are hardcore devoted fans of MMA and then there are fans of people getting in fights.  The latter will tune in to see that the same way they would search "street fights" or something similar on Youtube.  You have to take into heavy consideration the amount of fans that aren't dedicated but are still kinda there.  They're a fan, but they still need won over and a name they recognize or a fighter that they know of fighting helps bring them in and can ultimately help win them over.

They pay him so much, 1) because someone else could pay him more than 50K and then EliteXC lose him.  We all saw the drawing power he had (at least he paid a huge part in it) of the first CBS EliteXC card.  2) He makes EliteXC more than what he's paid.  The extra drawing power someone like he has (and he is the top guy in that regard..the street fighter turned mma fighter type thing) is bringing in enough that it makes what they pay him worth it to them.

I agree that he is overvalued.  Anyone with a brain and open eyes knows this.  I hated that he was the main event and not the title fight (1st Lawler vs Smith fight).  I would have NO problem with them PROMOTING him over that since being CBS it would help bring in the huge numbers that it did, but that doesn't mean that once the fight card starts it shouldn't be bumped down one in the fight order.

Answer 3

Kimbo has an agent!  Kimbo doesn't do the pay negotiations, his agent does. His agent and Elite both know that his name alone has pull and can gain viewers. The agent will try to get as much as possible; Elite will try get Kimbo as cheap as possible.  Elite and the agent aren't looking at Kimbo because of his mastery of MMA, but instead for his appeal to fringe viewers. More viewers equals more money. More money means fatter pockets for unproven overpaid street thugs!

Answer 4

I think Kimbo is really business wise.  Frank Shamrock has said that about him too.  It doesn't make sense for someone to post fight club videos on the internet and wind up getting to train as Bas Rutten's gym with Bas as a personal coach.  That said, I'm sure Kimbo knows lots of backend ways to get things done and make big money.

Answer 5

us mma fans saw him online and thought yo this guy is awesome and now we see him on tv we love to see that stuff and like he is better than u give him credit for as far as marketing people love to see this contiversial chatrecter fight an some hate him an watch an hope he gets an *** wooping and he is just good for money he is soooo popular even we are tralkin bout him righty now

Answer 6

He has too many fans, drawing high ticket prices. Just like tank abbott,  they keep losing fights but are admired for their tenacity.

Answer 7

no fighter is over paid, u have to consider everything they go through to fight in the cage. he's been through alot and the reason they pay kimbo so much is becuz he has potential and that is what people in business pay for. its an investment. the reason the first cbs show was so successful was becuz of kimbo. i guarantee this 2nd show they had was not no where near as successful as the first and why is that? kimbo is not fighting. yeah of course hardcore fans dont care too much about kimbo but cbs and elite xc dont care about the hardcore fan. they want as many viewers and potential buyers as they can get and thats where all the money is returned.

Answer 8

Because he's bring more fans to the sport. I know plenty of individuals who would not bother with MMA until they say those Kimbo Slice fights. Now they are die-hard fans (KACHING!) He also sells out the arena, sells merchandise, etc...

I give respect to Kimbo for bringing attention to the sport, but someone with actual skill is going to knock him on his ***. And that person will be the new "Kimbo" of MMA and we'll move to bigger and better events.

Answer 9

bc hes popular due to the fact that hes a stereotype "the big black buff man"