Joe Rogan is the man.
His voice has become synonymous with the UFC, and his podcasts are right up there with the most popular available on the internet today, but even still, most people don't realise what an incredible career he has had which has set him up for life.
Having watched his recent interview with Bill Simmons about starting out as a comedian and moving into a sitcom, it became clear that he has been financially sound for a very long time, and while he continues to work for the UFC and record his podcasts each week, he does it for pure enjoyment.
So let's look back at all the hugely beneficial decisions he has made along the way.
News Radio
Rogan's first big break, as it were, was on the sitcom 'News Radio'. In 1995 America was absolutely obsessed with sitcoms and as a result, landing a regular spot on a major network meant you were handsomely paid.
Joe describes this job as a 'dream' as it gave him time to work on his stand-up routine, as comedy has always been central to whatever he has done. News Radio was a hit, and Rogan stayed with the show for five years before leaving after being convinced to take up what had previously been a part-time gig... Commentating on the UFC.
The UFC
Rogan starting working for Dana White and the UFC back in 1997 at UFC 12: Judgement Day. Dana had originally offered him the job as full-time colour commentator, but Joe turned it down because he enjoyed going to the fights and drinking beer. The agreement that eventually convinced him to sign on the dotted line was free tickets and for him and his friends to the events, but after 15 or so events Rogan eventually accepted being paid for the job.
Doing interviews and colour commentating gave Rogan a lot of TV time, and that would help him when it came to his next project.
Fear Factor
You already know about Fear Factor because you used to watch Fear Factor because EVERYBODY used to watch Fear Factor.
The show was absolutely massive, and for every bull-testicle that was eaten viewers tuned in by the millions. Joe Rogan recently explained that the money he was offered to do Fear Factor was comfortable enough for him to retire as he had been set for life.
Rogan gained so much fame from this show that when the UFC began creeping into mainstream consciousness, most people's first reaction to it was 'Oh, they've got the Fear Factor guy.'
If Rogan was set for life after that show, then his other job was about to catch up in terms of it's financial rewards.
The UFC Explosion
MMA has been one of the fastest growing sports in the world for the last decade, and continues to grow even as it has become a staple in mainstream sports reporting. ESPN and Fox now host regular MMA shows, national newspapers report on events as they happen, and stars of other sports are attending events and showing support, and the company that was once bought for $2m, recently sold for $4.2bn.
All of this means that as the company has become more and more valuable, Joe Rogan's pay has reflected that. Dana White has revealed before that employees who have been around from the start, such as Rogan, have been given pay rises as the company has grown.
While no figures have been revealed, and rightly so, it's safe to assume that the UFC is paying Joe Rogan very well.
Joe Rogan Experience
But the truly impressive aspect of Rogan's career is no doubt the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
The podcast is a mammoth success, and his weekly shows do incredible numbers as famous guests are queuing up to get a spot on the show. In an age where internet podcasts are absolutely everywhere, Rogan's is among the most successful.
The money he is bringing in through advertisements must be astronomical, but more than anything Rogan uses his platform to increase exposure on the things and people that he wants to. It really is wildly successful, and it is estimated that 11 million people download it every month. Download... Not stream... Download.
This has given him a platform to dabble into the business world with the likes of 'Onnit', a health and nutrition company that Rogan is involved with who he promotes on the podcast.
The man was set for life in his 30s and yet has a ridiculously impressive number of revenue streams to send his personal worth through the charts.
With the recent sale of the UFC, some were worried that Joe Rogan would leave the company like he claimed he would do in the past, but despite the uncertainty, it is unlikely to bother the man himself as he can continue doing whatever the hell he wants for the remainder of his life.
