Bodybuilding Icons Jay Cutler & Lee Priest Debate New IFBB Rule Change: “They’re Trying To Put It Back In The Barn”
The IFBB Pro League Issued a New Rule Recently, Sparking Widespread Conversation.
The IFBB Pro League Announced a New Rule Over the Weekend, Stirring Controversy and Conversation in the Bodybuilding World.
The newly introduced rule on the IFBB Pro League website affects bodybuilders inactive for three years. It declares that a competitor who doesn't renew their membership within three years will forfeit their pro status.
Lee Priest was among the first to critique the new regulation, faulting the IFBB rather than the competitors.
“The IFBB is to blame for your thing with the pro cards. They opened up the floodgates, giving them out to everyone like candy. They’re trying to put it back in the barn. It’s the IFBB’s fault, not the athletes.”
Priest went on to highlight how the IFBB has neglected to uphold specific criteria for bodybuilders.
“They train hard to go into a show. They might win the USA but they might win the nationals but the qualities are not there to get a Pro card just because these shows offer a Pro card.”
Jay Cutler reacts On New Rules
In a recent episode of Cutler Cast, Jay Cutler became the latest bodybuilder to express his views on the new regulation.
“The issue I see, and this is the complaint from a lot of people, is yes, the IFBB Pro status, it doesn’t carry the weight it once carried.”
Cutler likens it to a realtor's license and the consequences of its expiration. The concept of maintaining Pro status can serve as a marketing asset.
“A realtor, if you don’t pay your license and let it expire. If you’re advertising yourself as an IFBB whatever, if you’re using it, remember it’s still leverage for a lot of people. I can understand that you’re still paying, you’re still representing, you’re using it as a marketing piece.”
