Thefree solo climber scaled the 1,667-foot skyscraper in Taipeiwithout ropes duringNetflix's live special 'Skyscraper Live'. The feat, completed in one hour and 31 minutes, marked one of the most daring live broadcasts in recent memory. However, attention quickly shifted from the climb itself to a different question: how much did he really earn?

According to reporting from the New York Times cited in coverage of the Alex Honnold Taipei 101 climb, Honnold described the payment as 'an embarrassing amount' when compared with mainstream professional sports salaries. He clarified that he did not receive £7.9 million ($10 million) for the climb.

The New York Times reported that Honnold was paid in the mid-six figures, which would place his earnings at roughly £400,000 to £800,000 ($500,000 to $1 million), according to two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement.

In an interview reported by Variety, he expanded on his perspective. He explained that he was not being paid to climb the building itself, but rather for the spectacle surrounding the broadcast.

'I'm not getting paid to climb the building. I'm getting paid for the spectacle. I'm climbing the building for free,' he said.

For many viewers, the assumption was that a live global event of this scale would command a multi-million-pound contract. However, Honnold's own comments suggest money was not the primary motivation.

He told the New York Times he would have completed the climb even without a television programme attached, as long as he had permission from the building. That mindset appears to have influenced negotiations.

Moreover, Honnold's career path differs from traditional professional athletes who rely heavily on team contracts and league structures. Instead, he has built a career around sponsorships, documentary features and specialised climbing projects.

In his interview with Variety, Honnold reflected on how his life changed after theOscar-winning documentary 'Free Solo'. He said the recognition allowed him to structure his life around climbing full time while supporting his family.

'I love rock climbing. How do I get to live my life doing that as much as possible while still supporting my family?' he told the outlet. 'Miraculously, it's working.'

Source: International Business Times UK