Snoop Dogg’s jaw-dropping daily paycheck for his Olympic gig has ignited a firestorm of reactions, contrasting sharply with the challenges athletes face in the Olympic Village.
Rapper Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., has become an unexpected yet beloved figure at the Olympic Games, donning various costumes, attempting pole vaulting, and cheering from the sidelines.
A user comment dated August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/wealth
The 52-year-old is now making headlines not just for his antics, but for the astonishing amount of money he is reportedly earning as an Olympic fan and commentator.
Snoop Dogg on July 28, 2024, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
Dogg is officially in Paris working for the US broadcaster NBC, which secured the broadcasting rights until 2032 for an astounding $7.75 billion in 2014.
Sitting alongside commentator Mike Tirico, Dogg entertains viewers with his humorous take on events like fencing and horse riding. He also takes on the role of a reporter, interviewing Olympic legends such as Michael Phelps to learn more about their sports.
Henry McNamara, a prominent young entrepreneur recognized by Forbes and featured in the business magazine’s 30 Under 30 List for Venture Capital in 2020, revealed the details of Dogg’s lucrative deal on X (formerly Twitter).
According to McNamara, during a dinner with NBC executives, a high-ranking official allegedly disclosed that Dogg is receiving $500,000 per day for his time at the Olympics.
This arrangement, covering 16 days, would amount to a staggering $8 million, not including additional fees. Moreover, an NBC employee told BILD, a German tabloid, that Dogg could potentially earn up to $15 million for his involvement in the games, thanks to a TV ratings bonus.
The ratings for the Olympics have soared in the United States, with a 79 percent increase compared to the Tokyo Games. On average, 34 million viewers are tuning in, largely attributed to Dogg’s presence.
Snoop Dogg on August 03, 2024, in Versailles, France | Source: Getty Images
NBC producer Molly Solomon, in a pre-games press conference attended by BILD, described Dogg as the “ambassador of happiness.”
“We are pleasantly surprised by his popularity,” she added, highlighting how Dogg is helping NBC reach a completely new audience.
Fans have had strong reactions to the news. Some support Dogg’s hefty paycheck, with one user writing, “He’s worth every penny.” However, there has been significant backlash regarding the disparity between Dogg’s earnings and those of the athletes.
Critics have pointed out the unfairness, with comments such as, “Meanwhile athletes are getting paid [pennies] for a medal and horrible sleeping [arrangements].” Another user echoed this sentiment, saying, “And athletes are sleeping on grounds.”
Others expressed shock at the amount, with one user exclaiming, “PER DAY?!?!” Another commented, “Wow! That’s an insane number.” Some found humor in the situation, with one user sarcastically noting, “That’s why gold medals are only $37k lol.”
Snoop Dogg, as seen in a post dated July 30, 2024 | Source: Instagram/snoopdogg
However, there is also a sense of frustration among fans, as one pointed out, “As much as I love Snoop, the fact he’s getting paid significantly more than any of the athletes taking part in the Olympics is outrageous.”
The debate over athlete compensation extends beyond Dogg’s earnings. According to CNBC, the United States pays out $38,000 for their athletes who have finished with gold on the podium thus far. Silver wins earn $23,000, and bronze sits at $15,000.
Simone Biles celebrating her gold medal win during the medal ceremony for the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Team Final in Paris, France on July 30, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In certain cases, CNBC reports that some athletes are gifted additional winnings like cars and apartments from private companies and governments, either instead of cash or in addition to it.
What’s interesting and what has become a point of contention online is the fact that US gymnasts who are competing in the trials do not get paid, unlike other professional athletes.
Furthermore, US athletes, in particular, do not receive money for participating in the Olympics. However, their medal winners do get prize money.
In stark contrast to Dogg’s lucrative daily earnings, musicians performing at the Olympics faced a different financial arrangement.
On Friday, July 26, Dion took the stage at the Olympics’ opening ceremony, marking her first performance since her health diagnosis two years ago. She performed Édith Piaf’s beloved classic “Hymne à l’amour” on the Eiffel Tower.
Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024, as seen in a post dated July 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/celinedion
The “Queen of Power Ballads” chose a white silk georgette floor-length dress dripping in shimmering beads and sequins for her emotional comeback to the stage.
Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024, as seen in a post dated July 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/celinedion
Initially, TMZ reported that Dion would be earning a staggering $2 million for her performance, with all travel expenses, including jets and boats, covered by the Olympics. However, this claim was later contradicted by a spokesperson for the Paris 2024 Games.
Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024, as seen in a post dated July 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/celinedion
Page Six clarified that performers at the Games would not receive a fee for their performance. Instead, the organization will cover technical production costs and other performance-related expenses. This decision highlighted the performers’ commitment to being part of a historic event, rather than performing for financial gain.
While performers like Celine Dion brought attention to the artistic side of the Olympics, the living conditions for athletes have also become a significant topic of discussion.
On July 31, 2024, media coverage of the Paris Olympics revealed that athletes were leaving the Olympic Village. Many athletes got tired of the poor facilities in the village, prompting them to leave and opt for luxury hotels.
The Paris Olympic Games’ cardboard beds and mattresses in a video uploaded on July 31, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Firstpost
US tennis player Emma Navaro complained about the village having cardboard beds. The beds were described as anti-sex, and Navaro complained about not sleeping well on them because they were too small.
Airweave’s “anti-sex” beds used at the Paris Olympic Village in a video uploaded on July 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Cheddar
When Manu Bhaker was asked if she was going to sleep with her medal next to her like cricketers and their trophies, she joked, “Well, I have a very small bed; you tell me will I be able to?”
Airweave’s “anti-sex” beds used at the Paris Olympic Village in a video uploaded on July 25, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Cheddar
The Indian athlete joked that she’d probably fall off the bed, so she wouldn’t take the risk. She explained that if she had a bigger bed, she probably would’ve slept with her medal. The beds and village are part of the Paris Olympics’ effort to create a zero-waste green environment for the athletes.
The Paris Olympic Games’ cardboard beds and mattresses in a video uploaded on July 31, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Firstpost
Fred Richard of the US Gymnastics team even pre-arranged a mattress to be delivered ahead of the games so he could have a good night’s sleep. After Richard’s move, the rest of the team ordered mattress toppers.
The beds aren’t the only issue in the village, as the hot rooms have also caused commotion. Before the Olympics began, the games were expected to be the hottest in history. But keeping with the green theme, Paris added geothermal cooling systems instead of air conditioning.
Team US fought back by getting portable air conditioning units. The Olympic athletes also faced issues with food. Bhaker complained about the village having a lack of proper food. The village had prepared to serve 13 million meals, but when the athletes arrived, they complained that there wasn’t enough protein.
The Paris Olympic Village’s food in a video uploaded on August 3, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Straits Times
Others complained that the food was sub-par. News of an egg shortage also emerged while Paris chose to have more green menus. The issue led to athletes leaving before it got resolved. According to reports, one athlete claimed that they found worms in their food.
The Paris Olympic Village’s food in a video uploaded on August 3, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Straits Times
Great Britain’s Adam Peaty said he found the insects in his food at the Olympic Village and what they were offered was “just not good enough.” The 29-year-old athlete, who took a silver medal for the individual 100m breaststroke, felt the food given in Paris was below the standards compared to previous Olympics.
The Paris Olympic Village’s food in a video uploaded on August 3, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Straits Times
His team was forced to get a chef to Paris because of “inadequate” food served early in the Olympics. Peaty said pushing for a more sustainable Olympic Games was what caused the organizers to fall short. The Paris Games pledged to make 60% of meals meat-free.
The swimmer wanted to eat meat and said he relied on it to perform. He ate meat at home and couldn’t understand why that had to change. Peaty also enjoyed fish but said people found worms in it.
The athlete felt the Paris Games didn’t have enough protein options and had long lines where they waited 30 minutes for food due to no system being put in place.
Italian swimmers Thomas Ceccon and Gregorio Paltrinieri were also amongst those who complained about the village’s poor conditions. Paltrinieri said he had trouble sleeping due to no air conditioning. He described the village as the “worst I have ever experienced,” adding how “athletes are not safeguarded.”
As the Paris Summer Games near their end, the contrast between Snoop Dogg’s lucrative contract and the athletes’ challenging living conditions continues to spark debate. The conversation around these disparities is likely to persist, shaping future considerations for the Olympics.
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