Steve-O Reveals He Earned $100,000 for His Role in NFL 2K5, A Sum That Dwarfs His "Jackass: The Game" Paycheck
"Jackass" star Steve-O has revealed that he was paid a hefty $100,000 for his role as a celebrity coach in Sega Sammy Holdings Inc‘s (OTC: SGAMY) NFL 2K5, a sum that far outpaces his earnings for the game based on his hit TV show and film series, "Jackass: The Game." This revelation highlights the often-disproportionate paychecks received by celebrities in the video game industry, particularly compared to their contributions to the franchise.
Key Takeaways:
- Steve-O earned a substantial $100,000 for his role in NFL 2K5, highlighting the lucrative potential of video game endorsements for celebrities.
- This sum far surpasses the $5,000 he was paid for a more elaborate appearance in Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, pointing to the inconsistent nature of compensation in the industry.
- While NFL 2K5 proved to be a commercial success, "Jackass: The Game" didn’t bring in significant earnings for its stars, despite its association with the popular franchise.
- Steve-O’s revelations shed light on the often-discrepant pay scales for celebrities in the video game industry, where smaller roles can yield higher compensation than prominent ones.
Steve-O’s confession about his NFL 2K5 salary comes after his recent interview with GameSpot, where he disclosed the exact figure for his involvement in the game. He was featured as a celebrity coach alongside other notable personalities like Carmen Electra, David Arquette, Funkmaster Flex, and Jamie Kennedy.
"For sure they reached out to me. It’s so funny that I went to promote this video game on the Howard Stern show. They paid me very well to do that. In 2004, I think it was exactly $100,000 they paid me to do that,” Steve-O said in the interview.
It’s worth noting that NFL 2K5 was a critically acclaimed game, launched at a competitive price of $20, significantly lower than the standard $50 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox games at the time. It marked the final installment in Sega’s football series, which had been a formidable competitor to EA’s Madden NFL franchise in the early 2000s.
Interestingly, Steve-O’s foray into video games wasn’t limited to NFL 2K5. He also appeared in Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, where he rode a mechanical bull instead of a skateboard. Despite the elaborate nature of this cameo, it earned him a comparatively modest $5,000.
“I think this one was wildly more popular, but who’s gonna not do that, you know?” Steve-O said.
Steve-O’s comments shed light on the often-disproportionate paychecks received by celebrities in the video game industry. While his NFL 2K5 role was relatively straightforward, his Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 appearance required a more elaborate stunt. Yet, he was compensated significantly more for the former, suggesting that the value of a celebrity’s involvement in a video game can be subjective and influenced by factors beyond their contributions.
This discrepancy is further highlighted by Steve-O’s experience with "Jackass: The Game." Despite the game’s association with the popular TV show and film series, it didn’t bring in substantial earnings for its stars. “Jackass was really good at not paying us that much,” Steve-O admitted.
Steve-O’s revelations offer valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes economics of the video game industry. While video game endorsements can be lucrative for celebrities, the compensation structures are often inconsistent and seemingly influenced by factors beyond the actual contributions of the celebrities involved. This case study underscores the need for greater transparency in the industry regarding celebrity pay scales and contract negotiation practices.
