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theJrod

Well, 2 things:

1 - He's probably worth it. I really don't have any doubts that he'll be very competitive, very quickly in either MGP or WSB.

2 - On the other hand, he should just swallow the ego a little and take what he's given. Then he can prove his worth by winning, and make even more money down the road.

GixxerPete

Interesting. I think something is wrong when a domestic series like AMA Superbike pays way more than a world series like WSBK let alone MotoGP. Clearly Spies is overpaid. Two million a year to ride in a domestic series is nuts. Besides, I thought Spies comes from a rich family anyways? Does he really *need* to make that much money? Is he like many NBA players etc who's salary dictates their "respect" more than their play? Will Ben remain a big fish in a small pond rather than take a pay cut to race against the best in the world?

I used to be a big fan of Spies, but I find him less appealing as he gets older and seems to be turning into a prima donna. Hey Ben, being AMA champ doesn't make you King Tut, get over yourself.

nemesis

If he can get it, then he should. If he can't then he may need re-evaulate his skills. Nobody here is to say whether he needs it or should have it.. Thats the great part about this country. If he can get it, then great for him.

Cougar

Spies wants to much? How do you much?

tokin

imo


Work it into the contract.

1 million a year (or w/e the average is), then if he gets a top 10 (or top 5 in points) give him the $2 million the following year.

wheezl

It's his decision. The whole concept of just being grateful and taking what you are given is a slave's mentality. He may make the decision to accept lower pay for the chance of making it big, but that is a calculated risk. He could have a career ending injury every time he gets on the bike so I see no problem with him getting paid as much as he can.

GixxerPete

Well that's the thing... it seems pretty obvious nobody in WSBK or MotoGP is going to pay him what he's paid here. The top, proven riders don't make that much, why in the world would they pay a rookie that much? They wouldn't.

So the real question is: is Spies really about testing himself against the best in the world, or is he just about show me the money? If it's the former, he'll take less and race WSBK. If it's the latter, I guess we'll be seeing him racing AMA for the forseeable future.

GixxerPete

I'm sorry, do they not teach English at WSU? "How do you much" what?

wheezl

He was making fun of the misspelling of "too".

Cougar

You are correct! And yes, they DO teach English at WSU.

GixxerPete

I get it... he was making fun of the OP's poor English. It was I who was making fun of the wrong person's poor English. My bad.

Cougar

You're forgiven.

holypiston

Spies should hang out in AMA until someone calls him up for the big dogs. If not, he can still make good money in the AMA, unless he's been messing w DMG or whatever the new organization (NASCRAP?) is that is running the series.

Matt and DuHamel are smart. They tried it and realized they were better off here. They've probably got enough money now, so if the AMA's new management messes with him (Matt in particular), he can just walk away and retire.

Don't they sell more sportbikes over here? more money!!

$$$

Tdawg

money will come in through other sponsors, gear, etc to add to the ride money. maybe he should fire his manager (mother)

could end up pricing himself out...Just look at all the hate Max got asking for big $ from suzuki-WSB, and IMHO he's got more street cred than Spies, and track knowledge

Amorget

I don't see why Ben should take a pay cut to go race in a "higher" series. BTW, you guys misread, it is making 2 million MORE a year then the top WSBK people.

Making some of someones grammar but failing reading comprehension... glass houses... stones?

GixxerPete

Umm... wrong. It is you that fails reading comprehension. Here it is again:

His wage claim is $2 million. Nowhere does it say $2 million "more" than what WSBK and MotoGP riders are making, just that he makes $2 million, and that figure is equal or more than MotoGP riders, which is true. Only a very few MotoGP riders are making multi-millions per year. WSBK riders are still in 6 figures.

So I will continue to throw stones, thankyouverymuch.

vtwin

Kinda like a reverse of Mladin, who used to be a big cock. Now hes a nice mellow mature rider who rides for the challenge. Just an AMA champ, whos ridden a dominant machine faster than all others. Winning on a machine that goes 1-2 seconds per lap faster than the other competition, don't make you worth more than others. Makes the machine worth more

GixxerPete

Funny you should mention that, I've always respected Mat's riding (how can you not?) but wasn't a big fan early on, mostly cuz of his attitude. Or should I say, perceived attitude. I do think he's softened a little over the years, but I think as I've got to know him better, so to speak, I've realized it's not so much cockiness or being a dick, it's his seriousness and dedication to racing. It's serious business to him, and he's all in, all the time. "Race face" for Mat is not just prior to the green flag, it probably starts the minute he steps foot at the track for the weekend. At first that makes him seem aloof, but that's not really the case, he's just a serious/dedicated guy that is all business.

mnewell

It's well known that the top AMA guys don't want to go into WSBK because of the pay cut they would face. If you were a top AMA guy why would you leave a gig that was:

1. Relatively cush - especially for a rider on a top team like Yosh Suzuki
2. Allowed you to be home on non-race weekend - rather than traveling around the world
3. Race on tracks you have been racing nearly all your life and know well
4. Paid well
5. Afforded you more fans in the US

I don't think Spies is even interested in WSBK and I don't blame him. Send him to MotoGP.

I do wish some americans were in WSBK though...

soggydoo

ditto ...to move up, sometimes we have to make sacrafices

NoQuarter#121

Add hot American women and fake boobies to the list.

Italy, Czec and spain seem to have alot to offer but

England, Germany and France pretty much not so much...

PeteN95

Because you would have to race a spec 600 with NASCAR (DMG) if you stay?

Buick_65

What he's worth relative to base bay needs to be balanced with his bonus expectations. Not sure what Rossi's base is, but he got $4,000,000 in bonus' last year with no championship. Everyone can agree that Spies will have some degree of success wherever he goes. Give him the two mil and reduce his bonus....

GixxerPete

If I were Ben I'd race for free in WSBK before I'd race in DMG's abomination of a "Superbike" class.

cookie monster

You have to keep in mind this is an exceptionally high risk sport! All it takes to end your career and your ability to make money is one mechanical one idiot or one poor choice and your done, sadly Vincent Haskovec proved that too us all. So Ben getting what he can is fine by me, and if that’s how teams see fit to spend their money great if not then he can sit on his rich ass at home and watch every one else race just like Max did.

tophyr

I think Ducati should just hire me.

MichelinMan

Who cares? He's already racing and taking the risk. There is no "added" risk by moving up to a more competitive class. It's probably less risky as he won't have to lap a bunch of guys halfway through the race.