WWE Legend Offered Bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno a Whopping $500,000 Per Year Deal to Ditch the Sport

Lou Ferrigno is a legendary bodybuilder with one of the largest physiques in the sport. The 6’5″ tall bodybuilder proved to be one of the biggest competitors of legend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although Ferrigno isn’t always counted on the list of successful bodybuilders, he was certainly an impactful one. Ferrigno stood in 2nd and 3rd position in the 1974 and 1975 Mr. Olympia competitions, respectively.

Although after 1975, Ferrigno didn’t compete until 1992. Ferrigno parted ways with bodybuilding in 1975 and eventually found his successful career in acting. He commenced the popular character, Hulk, in the 1977 TV series ‘The Incredible Hulk’ and wrapped it in 1990. Late bodybuilding journalist, Peter McGough, once revealed Ferrigno’s confusion in 1992 between joining one of the two Bodybuilding Federations.

Lou Ferrigno played it intelligently

Lou Ferrigno left bodybuilding and his dream of winning Mr. Olympia because of financial problems. He wound up his project of the TV series, The Incredible Hulk, in 1990 and maintained an impeccable physique. He still looked enormous, being 41 in 1992, when he made his comeback to professional bodybuilding.

Because of his large physique and immense popularity, Ferrigno was in extreme demand amongst the bodybuilding Federations. According to the late bodybuilding journalist Peter McGough, Ferrigno had all the options in the world to choose from. McGough wrote, “McMahon proposed that Lou’s signature would merit a hulking $500,000 per year WBF contract. (That figure is equivalent to $875,000 today). Almost immediately the bid was matched in total by Joe Weider.”

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McGough added, “His cash figure was equal to half the WBF offer; the remainder was made up of $250,000 worth of advertising in the Weider publications for Lou’s PSI sportswear company and other products. WBF policy was to assume all rights for the merchandising potential of assigned athlete (photos, apparel, books etc.). That included film roles as well, a pertinent factor in Lou’s case.”

Whom did Ferrigno choose eventually?

Ferrigno remained in touch with both Federations until the end, to keep his options open. On one hand, he was in contact with McMahon for signing the WBF (World Bodybuilding Federation) contract. He was even featured on the cover page of WBF Lifestyle Magazine, opposite the reigning WBF champion Gary Strydom.

On the other hand, Ferrigno was negotiating with Weider as well. Ferrigno wasn’t happy with the contract of the WBF as they would own the rights to the merchandise. Eventually, after looking at and analyzing everything, Ferrigno made his decision to continue his run with IFBB rather than WBF.

Watch this story: Bodybuilding Legend Lou Ferrigno’s Three Secrets to Stay in the Top Shape

Lou Ferrigno made a very wished comeback from his fans in 1992. Everyone wanted to see him again on the competing stage. Moreover, his popularity gave him an immense boost in the contract and gave him the liberty to choose the best option. Although he didn’t win the title on his comeback, he managed to look bigger than many of the bodybuilders at the peak.