“Would Have Been Bankrupt”: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Close Friend Opens Up on Financial Crisis Amidst Bodybuilding Legend’s Lost Interest in Appearances

Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated the bodybuilding circuit during the 70s and the 80s. He went on to become one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, winning an astonishing seven Mr. Olympia titles apart from other honors.

In 2002, Schwarzenegger, along with Jim Lorimer and Terry Todd, started the Arnold Strongman Classic, an offshoot of the Arnold Sports Festival. The event has gained massive popularity worldwide, featuring some renowned names each year. However, Schwarzenegger’s close friend, Tony Doherty, whose promotions company ran the Arnold Sports Festival, received a major setback.

Tony Doherty facing financial difficulties due to Arnold Schwarzenegger

Fans used to gather in large numbers at the Arnold Sports Festival to catch a glimpse of Schwarzenegger. However, the legendary bodybuilder seems to have lost interest in attending the international versions of this event. As a result, Doherty is facing massive financial difficulties due to the collapse of the event.

Talking about the failure of the event, Doherty said, “[We] just took the hit, just moved some stuff around and if it had have been more, honestly, it would have wiped me out, like it was this close.”

Further, he added, “I guess I was lucky that three or four of our probably four or five of our big sponsors and exhibitors who’d put their money in agreed to leave it in for next year just to help me through it.”

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Concluding his remarks, Doherty said, “Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to get through. I would have been bankrupt.”

Schwarzenegger left fans disappointed at his Sports Festival in the UK

Earlier this year, the legendary bodybuilder failed to turn up at Arnold Sports Festival UK. As a result, the fans, who had paid up to 336 pounds for a ticket, were left disappointed after knowing about his late cancelation.

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Many fans took to social media to express their anguish about not being able to catch a glimpse of Schwarzenegger. Around 60,000 people attended the first day of the event.