How Much Does A Professional Paintball Player Make?

For aspiring athletes wondering how much money they can make playing paintball professionally, it is essential to understand the differences between competitive fields, sponsorships, and salary to get a well-rounded idea. While one could assume that the job of a professional athlete looks track and field or hockey, paintball players operate differently, and the rewards may surprise some.

Competitive Prize Money

One form of financial gain for professional paintball players is tournament money. Many tourneys and events will award prize money to the winning teams and players. Depending on the size and investment of the tournament, the prize money can award anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars in winnings.

Competitive Points and Ranks

Professional paintball teams will keep track of their ranking on the event circuit. Many companies offer cash bonuses to those who place at the top or near the top of various rankings. Some companies will offer cash rewards to all members of the team for getting enough points or ranking them above a certain cut-off.

Invitational Tournaments and Events

If a particular team is well-known and well-liked, it could be invited to exclusive events where not only does the team win a lot of money but they also get the opportunity to schmooze with sponsors and potential backers.

Sponsorships and Promotion

Players who become stars in the paintball world through social media, tournaments, and other outlets tend to land sponsorships from vendors who are looking to use them to sell merchandise. Many professional paintball players get paid with equipment, swag, and sometimes even money just for displaying logos on their clothing.

Salary

Those who become part of a professional paintball team can often expect to earn a salary. It may not be what most professional athletes receive, but it is still a salary. This salary can range from a few thousand dollars per year to tens of thousands, depending on the team, the players, and the current market.

Brief Recap

Professional paintball players come from all walks of life and are able to make money in various ways. Some of the most successful and well-known players earn through competitive winnings, sponsorships, and even salaries from teams. When combined, these different forms of earnable money can add up to make a living wage. So, to answer the question, How much does a professional paintball player make? - it all depends.