Alex Honnold scaled the 101-story, 1,667-foot Taipei 101 skyscraper for Netflix’s Skyscraper Live on Jan. 24. Despite the high-profile event, he said the payment was embarrassingly small, far below the contracts of major league athletes.
At a Glance
- Alex Honnold, 40, completed a free-climb of Taipei 101 for a Netflix broadcast.
- He reported receiving a modest fee, calling it “embarrassing” compared to MLB contracts.
- The climb was shown live on Netflix’s Skyscraper Live on Jan. 24.
- TODAY.com reached out for comment but received no reply.
Event Highlights
The 101-story Taipei 101 stands 1,667 feet tall, making it one of the world’s tallest structures. On Jan. 24, the building’s roof became a stage for a daring stunt, captured by Netflix’s Skyscraper Live. The show attracted millions of viewers, placing Honnold’s ascent in the global spotlight.
The climb was a continuation of Honnold’s career of high-risk, high-reward feats. He first gained worldwide attention in the Academy Award-winning documentary Free Solo, which chronicled his 2018 solo ascent of El Capitan. In that film, he demonstrated a unique blend of mental focus and physical skill.
Payment Details
When asked about compensation, Honnold said, “I’m not gonna say. It’s an embarrassing amount.” He followed up, noting that “Major League Baseball players get like $170 million contracts.” This comparison underscores how small his payment was relative to mainstream sports salaries.
| Category | Example Amount | Context |
|---|---|---|
| MLB Player | $170 million | Long-term contract for a star athlete |
| Honnold’s Pay | Embarrassing amount | Exact figure not disclosed |
The lack of a specific number suggests the fee was modest. Honnold’s agent had higher expectations, and he admitted, “Maybe. It’s less than my agent aspired to.”
Honnold’s Perspective
Honnold clarified that the climb was a personal challenge rather than a commercial venture. He said, “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.”
He added, “I’m not getting paid to climb the building. I’m getting paid for the spectacle. I’m climbing the building for free.” These remarks illustrate his motivation: the thrill of the climb and the opportunity to inspire, not the financial reward.
In a later interview aired on TODAY on Jan. 26, Honnold described the experience as “a happy tired.” He said, “I know I’m going to cross the finish line. I feel great.” The interview highlighted his emotional state and sense of accomplishment.
Reactions and Comments
TODAY.com reached out to both Honnold and Netflix for comment. Neither party has responded to the inquiries. The silence leaves many questions about the exact terms of the agreement.
The event also sparked discussion about how athletes and performers are compensated for high-risk stunts. Some viewers noted the contrast between the large sums paid to athletes in traditional sports and the modest fee paid to a climber for a one-time spectacle.
Key Takeaways
- Alex Honnold’s climb of Taipei 101 was part of Netflix’s Skyscraper Live broadcast on Jan. 24.
- He received a payment he described as “embarrassing,” far below the $170 million MLB contracts.
- Honnold emphasized the climb was a personal challenge and would have done it for free.
- No official response has been received from Honnold or Netflix regarding the payment.
- The event highlights the financial disparity between mainstream sports athletes and stunt performers.
The climb remains a testament to Honnold’s skill and daring, even if the financial reward was modest. It also invites broader conversation about how society values different types of physical achievement.
