Alex Honnold's 'Embarrassing' Pay Revealed for Death-Defying Taipei 101 Climb
American rock climber Alex Honnold, who recently captured global attention by free soloing one of the world's tallest skyscrapers in Taiwan, has made a startling revelation about his compensation for the risky feat. In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Honnold described the amount he was paid as "embarrassing" when compared to earnings in mainstream professional sports.
"An Embarrassingly Small Amount" Compared to Mainstream Sports
Honnold declined to specify the exact figure but confirmed it was in the "mid-six figures" range. "I'm not gonna say. It's an embarrassing amount," Honnold stated. "Actually, if you put it in the context of mainstream sports, it's an embarrassingly small amount. You know, Major League Baseball players get like $170 million contracts."
He further emphasized the disparity by adding, "Like, someone you haven't even heard of and that nobody cares about." Despite the modest payday by athletic standards, Honnold emphasized that he would have undertaken the challenge for free if given permission, driven purely by passion and capability.
The Historic Free Solo Ascent of Taipei 101
Honnold's climb took place on Sunday, where he ascended the 101-floor Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan's capital without any ropes or protective equipment. The structure, made of steel, glass, and concrete, presented a formidable challenge with its distinctive "bamboo boxes" design across the middle 64 floors.
Key details of the climb include:
- Completion time of 1 hour and 32 minutes, just two minutes slower than his estimate
- Live-streaming by Netflix, attracting huge crowds on the streets below
- A 10-second broadcast delay for safety
- Postponement from Saturday due to rain
The building was divided into eight segments, each featuring eight floors of steep, overhanging climbs interspersed with balconies where Honnold paused briefly. At the summit, wearing a red short-sleeve shirt, he celebrated by waving his arms triumphantly.
Passion Over Pay: Honnold's Motivation
Honnold's comments highlight a stark contrast between extreme sports and traditional athletics. "If there was no TV programme and the building gave me permission to go do the thing, I would do the thing because I know I can, and it'd be amazing," he told the Post. This underscores his dedication to climbing as an art form rather than a lucrative career.
This event not only showcases human endurance and skill but also sparks conversations about the valuation of niche sports in the global athletic landscape. As Honnold's feat continues to inspire, it reminds us that some achievements transcend monetary rewards.
