BFMDan Posted October 28, 2016 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 (edited) I'm from the U.S. . . . so, all I really know about Speedway is watching Speedway GP. So, I'm trying to get a grasp of the status/level of Speedway as compared to other sports (for my understanding - US related). Over here in the states, we don't have the leagues like you folks do in G.B./EU. We have a community that keeps the sport of speedway alive over on the west coast . . . but, that's about it. I'm wondering about income level - I s'pose . . . So, are Speedway racers (and, I guess, the tracks/organizations) more similar to - on the same level as: 1) Professional top line sports (National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, NASCAR) 2) Professional lower level sports (US Soccer, Womens National Basketball Association, Supercross) 3) Minor league professional sports (major league baseball farm teams, arena football) 4) US Flat track Pro racers (90%+ of these "Pro" riders still have regular full time jobs, except for maybe the top 3 or 4) 5) AMA regional MX pro racers (race for a couple hundred $$ per event, then go to work 9-5 during the week) 6) Local stock car racers (basically an expensive hobby - LOL) Sorry if this has been asked before . . . HB Edited October 28, 2016 by Haybails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted October 28, 2016 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 I'm from the U.S. . . . so, all I really know about Speedway is watching Speedway GP. So, I'm trying to get a grasp of the status/level of Speedway as compared to other sports (for my understanding - US related). Over here in the states, we don't have the leagues like you folks do in G.B./EU. We have a community that keeps the sport of speedway alive over on the west coast . . . but, that's about it. I'm wondering about income level - I s'pose . . . So, are Speedway racers (and, I guess, the tracks/organizations) more similar to - on the same level as: 1) Professional top line sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR) 2) Professional lower level sports (US Soccer, WNBA, Supercross) 3) Minor league professional sports (major league baseball farm teams, arena football) 4) US Flat track Pro racers (90%+ of these "Pro" riders still have regular full time jobs, except for maybe the top 3 or 4) 5) AMA regional MX pro racers (race for a couple hundred bucks per event, then go to work 9-5 during the week) 6) Local stock car racers (basically an expensive hobby) Sorry if this has been asked before . . . HB The problem is that income levels have been allowed to go beyond what is viable, the result is that some riders are owed money by struggling promoters. The very top guys (GPs Polish league, Swedish League and even some fit in the Elite league as well) are said to be able to make many thousands per week, along with some generous sponsorship, I read it to be well over £30,000 per week for some. These days riders can make a reasonable living in the Premier League, where in the past it would have had to fit in with a regular job for many, below that there will be very few making any sizeable amount of money. I have no idea what people make in the sports you mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted October 28, 2016 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 . I have no idea what people make in the sports you mentioned. That is the trouble.US sports are a bit of a mystery to a lot of us over the pond.But for example today in the paper was a list of the top payed German sportsmen and 2 o the top 4 were NBA basketball players,one of whom i had never even heard of.The other 2 were Formula 1 drivers and then a load of football players.But if the 2 NBA players were earning more than the top footballers then you can be sure that speedway riders aren't in that sort of league 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFMDan Posted October 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Hmmm . . . found this via Google. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_sports_leagues_by_revenue It's a page which lists (as the URL implies) and ranks professional sports leagues by revenue. I can't imagine, however, that it is all inclusive . . . because, while it has German Handball league listed (Handball?!?! LOL) it doesn't include ANY motorsports NASCAR, Formula 1, Austrailian V8 Supercars, Monster Energy Supercross, etc. Anyone with knowledge care to throw a dart at this list to indicate whereabouts Speedway might fall? HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF Posted October 28, 2016 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 I'm from the U.S. . . . so, all I really know about Speedway is watching Speedway GP. So, I'm trying to get a grasp of the status/level of Speedway as compared to other sports (for my understanding - US related). Over here in the states, we don't have the leagues like you folks do in G.B./EU. We have a community that keeps the sport of speedway alive over on the west coast . . . but, that's about it. I'm wondering about income level - I s'pose . . . So, are Speedway racers (and, I guess, the tracks/organizations) more similar to - on the same level as: 1) Professional top line sports (National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, NASCAR) 2) Professional lower level sports (US Soccer, Womens National Basketball Association, Supercross) 3) Minor league professional sports (major league baseball farm teams, arena football) 4) US Flat track Pro racers (90%+ of these "Pro" riders still have regular full time jobs, except for maybe the top 3 or 4) 5) AMA regional MX pro racers (race for a couple hundred $$ per event, then go to work 9-5 during the week) 6) Local stock car racers (basically an expensive hobby - LOL) Sorry if this has been asked before . . . HB As a Brit living in the US, I will take a stab at this. It's not that easy as salaries in US sports vary wildly within one team. In the major sports a star player may be earnings 30 or 40 times what a rookie or bench player is earning. Top handful of riders in the world, mid level MLS but definitely not a designated player Lower EL and higher order PL about WNBA Bottom order PL and NL minor league baseball but without the signing bonus Nobody would be in the same stratosphere as the major US sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) That is the trouble.US sports are a bit of a mystery to a lot of us over the pond.But for example today in the paper was a list of the top payed German sportsmen and 2 o the top 4 were NBA basketball players,one of whom i had never even heard of.The other 2 were Formula 1 drivers and then a load of football players.But if the 2 NBA players were earning more than the top footballers then you can be sure that speedway riders aren't in that sort of league Dennis Schroeder plays for my local NBA team, the Atlanta Hawks. Signed a new contract this week. 4 years $70 million. He was born in Braunschweig. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFMDan Posted October 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Thanks 'AlanF' . . . MUCH appreciated! HB As a Brit living in the US, I will take a stab at this. It's not that easy as salaries in US sports vary wildly within one team. In the major sports a star player may be earnings 30 or 40 times what a rookie or bench player is earning. Top handful of riders in the world, mid level MLS but definitely not a designated player Lower EL and higher order PL about WNBA Bottom order PL and NL minor league baseball but without the signing bonus Nobody would be in the same stratosphere as the major US sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) Dennis Schroeder plays for my local NBA team, the Atlanta Hawks. Signed a new contract this week. 4 years $70 million. He was born in Braunschweig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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