How Joe Rogan makes his money: from US$200 million Spotify deals to comedy specials, the UFC commentator, ex-Fear Factor host and world’s top podcaster is raking it in despite his controversial views
- Joe Rogan’s controversial views have seen him ‘cancelled’ by many, especially over alleged racial and transphobic slurs, and his Covid-19 comments didn’t go down well either
- Because he loved martial arts so much, Rogan did his first 15 shows as a UFC commentator for free, but was soon earning ‘s***loads of money’ according to the brand’s boss Dana White
But just how did an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) commentator become one of the richest and most prominent and controversial voices of the moment? Here’s a look at Joe Rogan and his money journey.
Joe Rogan’s MMA path to wealth
Growing up in New Jersey in the US, a young Rogan found healing from what he described to Rolling Stone magazine as “brief, violent flashes of domestic violence” by playing baseball and later, martial arts.
Within two years of enrolling in taekwondo, he received his black belt and later, was crowned the Massachusetts full contact champion for four consecutive years, his website explains.
His relationship with the sport led to him providing colourful commentary for the UFC in 2002.
UFC boss Dana White told Barstool Sports that Rogan did his first 15 shows for free and within a few years, was earning “s***loads of money”. Business influencer and YouTuber Noah Kagan puts Rogan’s current pay at around US$50,000 per event he commentates.
Forbes reported that by 2019, Rogan only worked North American pay-per-view UFC events, less than 12 fight cards per year, but he told listeners of his podcast at the time it was not about the money he got from fights.
“I don’t think about retiring because I like what I do. I don’t think; ‘oh I need X amount of money in the bank so I’m not going to do this very much longer’. I like all that stuff. It keeps me from going crazy.”