It is understandable to assume that a professional athlete competing for a world championship would earn at least $1 million per year. In the case of MotoGP you would be wrong. MotoGP Sports Entertainment, the championship’s commercial rights holder, is about to introduce a minimum wage for all riders. Under a deal with the team, no rider would be paid less than €500,000 (or $588,000) as early as the 2027 season. The push for a minimum salary almost led to the creation of a riders’ union just a few years ago.
The minimum salary would be included in the upcoming five-year commercial agreement between MotoGP SE and teams. Motorsport reports the Motorsports Manufacturers Association discussed the proposal during a meeting on Tuesday. If the current proposal were implemented, the minimum salary would not take into account the performance bonuses often offered to riders. According to Crash.netPramac Yamaha rider Jack Miller revealed last year that novice riders were being offered just $36,000 and argued for a mandatory minimum.
MotoGP riders have been flirting with forming a union in recent years
While a minimum salary of $588,000 seems low for racing engines in a championship that sold for $4.2 billion last year, it would be a first for any international racing championship. By comparison, the minimum salary for a rookie in the National Football League is $840,000. Compensation aside, it seems absurd that MotoGP lacked a level of competitive representation that has existed in Formula 1 for decades at the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.
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