The Struggles of Earning a Living as a German Athlete by Alica Schmidt

Track and field star German Athlete Alica Schmidt recently went viral on TikTok after revealing just how little athletes earn, even at the highest levels of competition. Her candid comments have sparked a debate about the pay and treatment of athletes worldwide.

Alica Schmidt is a 23-year track and field athlete from Germany who competes typically in the four hundred meters event. She has emerged as one of the top capable talents in Germany, incomes a niche on the national 4×400 meter relay crew.

However, despite her success and rising stardom, Schmidt revealed in a now viral TikTok video that athletics does not pay enough for her to earn a living. Her comments have drawn attention to the surprisingly meager earnings of track and field stars and the struggles athletes face making ends meet.

Schmidt first made a name for herself as a junior athlete in Germany, setting national records at 400 meters. She gained wider fame after appearing in a popular Nike ad campaign leading up to the 2017 World Championships.

Dubbed the “World’s Sexiest Athlete” she has over 3 million Instagram followers who track in for a mixture of training movies, motivational messages, and modeling photos. She keeps to compete at the international level while studying for a degree in health and nutrition.

As previously discussed, click here to learn more about Alica Schmidt’s athletic background and career.

German Athlete Alica Schmidt’s TikTok Video

In August 2022, Schmidt posted a TikTok video detailing her athletics income. Speaking in German, she explained:

“I currently earn no money…only through sponsors. I’m not financially supported by the state, get no athletic scholarship, no prize money. That’s truly how it is in track and field in Germany.”

The video speedy went viral, earnings over 800,000 likes. Many fans were shocked to learn someone as accomplished and famous as Schmidt struggles to profit off her success.

The Realities of an Athletics Career

Schmidt’s video highlighted the economic realities for most track and field competitors. Outside of a handful of superstar sprinters, long jumpers, and marathon runners, athletics is not a lucrative career.

Most athletes earn nothing from actual competition. Only certain European meets and American professional track circuits offer prize money. Entry fees and travel costs often negate any potential earnings.

Athletic sponsorships and grants are very limited. Schmidt is an outlier with her social media presence and modeling work providing extra income. For most, sponsor deals average just $5-10k a year. College scholarships in the US help some make ends meet.

Government funding for Olympic development varies greatly by country. Sports like track and field receive little compared to major team sports. Very few countries offer livable public funding to individual athletes.

Why are Track and Field Earnings so Low?

There are a few key reasons why athletics remains one of the lowest earning Olympic sports:

• Limited public interest – Outside of marquee events like the Olympics, track and field struggles to attract big audiences. Crowds for even top level meets are small. TV viewership is low. Without a major fanbase, the sport generates little revenue to pay athletes.
• Individual focus – Unlike major team sports, track and field athletes compete as individuals. There are no pro team salaries. Athletes rely solely on winning prize money at events.
• Amateur roots – Modern Olympics founder Pierre de Coubertin favored amateur sport. Track and field retains that ethos. Many still see accepting money as contrary to Olympic ideals.
• Transient stardom – Most track athletes peak for a few years in their early 20s before declining. The narrow window to capitalize on success makes it harder to cash in.

Reaction to German Athlete Alica Schmidt’s Message

Schmidt’s TikTok helped illuminate the financial realities of her sport. Many fans reacted with surprise and calls to better support athletes:

• “This needs to change. Take care of these athletes.” (@runner4life)
• “No prizes or money? I had no idea. Athletes deserve more.” (@trackfan123)
• “#payourathletes – this has to trend after this video!” (@tinaathome)
• “Alica is so brave for speaking out. Spread her message.” (@karenfam)

Some argued Schmidt’s social media fame still provides ample income:

• “3 million followers? I’m sure she’s still making bank with that.” (@jeffoneal)
• ” Because of her modeling and sponsor work, she has much more earning potential than most athletes.” (@katrinahaller)

Others noted the harsh economics of all Olympic sports:

• “It’s the same story across lots of Olympic sports. Hard road for athletes.” (@davidrjones)
• ” There is nothing unusual about an athlete’s life outside of major sports like football or basketball. Can’t feel too bad.” (@spencer_anders)

Potential Solutions

In the wake of Schmidt’s revelations, experts have proposed changes to improve athlete earnings:

Direct Prize Money

More meets, especially in Europe, could offer direct payouts to winners and top finishers. Even small sums of $1-2k could add up over a season. Tax incentives may spur new private meets with prize purses.

Revenue Sharing

Major athletics events could adopt a revenue sharing model from tennis and other sports. Dedicate set percentages of all revenue to athlete payouts rather than keeping the earnings.

Salary Systems

European countries and private pro circuits could develop team-based leagues that provide annual player salaries like other major sports. Salaries allow athletes to earn reliable income during their peak years.

Sponsor Development

Agents need to secure athletes more lucrative and long-term corporate sponsorships. Schmidt’s case shows there is untapped marketing potential with track stars.

Athlete Advocacy

Stronger athlete unions can lobby for reforms in athletic federations and Olympic committees that increase pay and improve athlete rights. More voices calling for change are harder to ignore.

German Athlete Alica Schmidt Continues to Lead Change

While these systemic reforms will take time, Alica Schmidt continues to leverage her platform to advocate for athlete pay. She promotes the hashtag #payourathletes and collaborates with other stars to raise awareness.

In a recent post, she reiterated that sharing her story was meant to create discussion, saying “It’s not just about me but about equality and fairness for all athletes.” Schmidt shows no signs of backing down from this cause.

Summary

Alica Schmidt’s heartfelt video brought welcome attention to the financial struggles facing track and field athletes. Her call for change is resonating with fans who never realized just how little athletes earn.

With her passionate activism and courage to speak openly, Schmidt is emerging as a leader in the fight for economic justice in athletics. If reforms do come, she will deserve significant credit for being one of the first to powerfully tell her story. Schmidt shows how even those succeeding in sport feel marginalized, and she provides hope for a better future.