Professional rock climber Alex Honnold recently disclosed that his earnings from the free solo ascent of Taipei 101, a towering skyscraper in Taiwan, were less than he anticipated. During an interview published in the New York Times on January 23, Honnold described his compensation for the daring climb as “embarrassing” when compared to the lucrative contracts awarded in mainstream sports.
Honnold’s climb, broadcast live on Netflix on January 25, 2023, saw him scale the 1,667-foot building without safety equipment. While he did not reveal the exact amount he earned, he mentioned it was in the “mid-six figures.” He emphasized the stark contrast to athletes in other sports, noting, “Major League Baseball players get like $170 million contracts. Like, someone you haven’t even heard of and that nobody cares about.”
Despite the comparatively modest payday, Honnold expressed a willingness to undertake such a climb for no financial reward. He stated, “If there was no TV program 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.”
The 40-year-old athlete completed the ascent of the 101-story building in just over an hour and a half. This remarkable feat follows his historic climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in 2017, where he became the first individual to ascend the iconic rock face without safety ropes. That climb was famously documented in the Oscar-winning film, Free Solo.
Honnold’s fascination with Taipei 101 dates back over a decade. He first scouted the building for a different television project that fell through in 2013. “I actually scouted it for a different TV thing that fell apart in 2013, I think,” he shared on Jay Shetty’s podcast on January 7, 2023. “So, for the last 12 years I’ve known that it was possible. The building is honestly uniquely suited for climbing.”
When asked why he chose to undertake such a perilous climb, Honnold’s response was straightforward. “Why? Because it’s awesome. Because I get to, basically. Because it’ll be so fun,” he explained. He acknowledged the challenges of obtaining permission to climb buildings, stating, “If you get permission, you kind of have to say ‘yes.’”
The climbing community has followed Honnold’s career with great interest, particularly due to his ability to perform under extreme conditions. His recent climb continues to inspire both seasoned climbers and newcomers to the sport, highlighting the blend of skill, mental fortitude, and passion that defines his approach.
As Honnold continues to push the boundaries of climbing, discussions around athlete compensation remain pertinent. His comments shed light on the disparities in earnings between rock climbing and more mainstream sports. While his feats may not earn him the same financial rewards as some of his counterparts in other sports, the thrill and personal satisfaction derived from his climbs remain invaluable to him.
