Most pro skiers don't make nearly as much money as you think. As has been said before, travel cash, performance incentives, gear, etc, are usual forms of compensation, and the best of the best/most established pros get some salary or a retainer. Some have contracts in which the amount of prize money they get is matched by their sponsors. Most riders get screwed for cash. And Thovex did NOT sign for anything close to a million, if the other 'rumours' going around are correct.
A small comparison which I've posted before: Wade Simmons(pro mtb rider, Rocky Mountain, Oakley, some others) dropped a 40someodd foot cliff on his bike for an Oakley ad(Quite big for a bike cliff drop). His agent happened to meet the stunt coordinators for Xmen2. He showed them the pic, and asked what it would be worth in Hollywood. The answer: A MINIMUM of $100 000. One shot. Quote from the agent: 'I looked at Wade's Oakley contract and cried'. Sure it's Hollywood, sure it's big business, etc etc etc, but it shows you the disparity between 'Professional' athletes and stuntmen(a good comparison for the most part)...and baseball players get payed how much??? Something's wrong with that...
Message to: Jib_This
Message from: NewO
Date Sent: 2003-02-11 17:33:01
ur a dumb shit
Message to: Jib_This
Message from: NewO
Date Sent: 2003-02-22 00:30:55
hey, get a gun and shoot ur self in the head
past tense that
'i'm not too bright sometimes, when i turn my mind off school'
Nolan, after I reminded him of what a verb in the past tense was.
What do I know...I'm Drunk