The grappling world has been abuzz with the news of Craig Jones’ ambitious plans to shake up the industry. The Australian jiu-jitsu star has announced that he is willing to sponsor ADCC athletes, a move that could have significant implications for the sport.
In a recent clip, Jones explained the reasoning behind his decision to organize the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational on the same weekend as the prestigious ADCC World Championships. At the heart of this strategic scheduling lies Jones’ desire to address what he perceives as a systemic issue in the sport: inadequate athlete compensation.
“Ultimately, what I want and what I wanted from day one was just athletes across everything in Jiu-Jitsu to be compensated just a little bit more,” Jones said. To this end, the CJI is offering a groundbreaking show money of $10,001 per competitor, a figure that dwarfs the traditional payouts seen in most BJJ tournaments, including the ADCC, which has historically offered $10,000 to division winners with no show money for participants.
Jones’ vision extends beyond simply hosting a lucrative event. He aims to prove that it’s possible to run a successful tournament while prioritizing athlete compensation. “My point will be to try and prove that you can do it and you can compensate the athletes,” he stated.
In a recent statement, Jones has taken his support for ADCC athletes a step further, announcing that he is willing to provide logo sponsorship opportunities. “Guys, any ADCC athletes looking for logo sponsorship for the event, hit me up. I’ll throw some money at you to put a nice CJI logo on your gear. That’s not a joke. We’re doing this,” he said.
This move by Jones is seen as a direct challenge to the ADCC’s traditional compensation structure. By offering lucrative sponsorship deals, Jones is creating an attractive alternative for athletes, potentially leading to increased competition for talent and higher payouts from the ADCC organizers.
The timing of the CJI has indeed created a dilemma for many high-profile grapplers, who now face a choice between prestige and financial gain. While some, like Mica Galvao, have chosen to compete at the ADCC despite the potential million-dollar prize at stake in the CJI, others have been swayed by the prospect of significant earnings.
Jones emphasized that his intentions are not rooted in malice towards the ADCC. Instead, he views the CJI as a catalyst for change, potentially leading to the establishment of a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting athletes’ interests. He envisions keeping the event affordable and accessible, drawing from his own experiences as a young grappler who struggled to support himself being a professional in the sport.
