A conversation about Arnold Schwarzenegger's early years in America exposed a stark pay disparity between NFL and bodybuilding athletes.

In an interview with GQ magazine, while reflecting on his early days in the US, the Austrian Oak commented on the huge pay gap between his sport and the NFL.

"I came to America, and I saw football players making already a million dollars with commercials and with endorsements and stuff like that, and the bodybuilders made a thousand dollars winning Mr Olympia."

Schwarzenegger insisted that the pay disparity didn't bother him. It didn't discourage him from reconsidering entering bodybuilding. Instead, he focused on improving his technique, creating the best body in the world, and beating records.

Difference in net worths between NFL players and Bodybuilders

The best way to present the pay difference between the two sports is to compare the net worth of the top 3 players in each sport. One thing to note here is that the net worth of NFL players includes brand endorsements, which come to them due to their NFL careers.

Tom Brady ($300 millions)/ Phil Heath ($2.9 million)

Tom Brady built his massive fortune on heavy salaries and the brand deals that came with it. For example, in 2022, his yearly earnings amounted to $75 million from salary and brand endorsements with Aston Martin, Under Armour, and TAG Heuer.

Out of the $2.9M, $2.1M came from winning the Mr. Olympia titles consecutively from 2011 to 2017. The rest came from placing 3rd twice and 5th in the competition.

Aaron Rodgers ($220 million)/Dexter Jackson ($2.8 million)

Rodgers's abundant net worth comes from his $150 million extension with the Green Bay Packers in 2022. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a one-year contract with him for $10 million in 2025. The rest of it comes from his brand deals with State Farm, Adidas, Pizza Hut, and Bose.

Dexter Jackson earned his fortune from the most Mr Olympia entries with 6 wins, Arnold Classic wins (5), and pro wins.

Kirk Cousins ($180 million)/Derek Lunsford ($1.9 million)

Huge salaries, lucrative brand deals, and smart investments helped Kirk Cousins amass a massive fortune. In 2024, Cousins signed a $180 million, four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Lunsford only earned $50,000 in the 212 division, but ever since he moved to the Men's Open division in 2022, his pockets have deepened.

From earning $400,000 for winning the 2023 Mr Olympia to $500,000+$600,000 for winning the 2025 Arnold Classic and Mr Olympia.

What do you think of this pay difference? Tell us in the comments!

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu