Snoop Dogg’s staggering daily paycheck for his Olympic hosting gig has sparked a wave of reactions, highlighting a stark contrast with the challenges faced by athletes in the Olympic Village.

The rapper, known offstage as Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., has unexpectedly become a fan-favorite at the Olympic Games. His lively antics, from donning various costumes to attempting pole vaulting and enthusiastically cheering from the sidelines, have endeared him to viewers.

At 52, Snoop Dogg is grabbing headlines not only for his playful antics but also for the jaw-dropping amount of money he’s reportedly earning as an Olympic fan and commentator.

Snoop Dogg is currently in Paris, working for the US broadcaster NBC, which secured the Olympic broadcasting rights until 2032 for a staggering $7.75 billion in 2014.

Seated alongside commentator Mike Tirico, Snoop Dogg entertains viewers with his humorous commentary on events like fencing and horse riding. Additionally, he takes on the role of a reporter, interviewing Olympic legends like Michael Phelps to gain insights into their sports.

Henry McNamara, a young entrepreneur recognized by Forbes and featured in the magazine’s 30 Under 30 List for Venture Capital in 2020, recently revealed details of Snoop Dogg’s lucrative deal on X (formerly Twitter). According to McNamara, during a dinner with NBC executives, a high-ranking official allegedly disclosed that Snoop Dogg is earning $500,000 per day for his time at the Olympics.

This 16-day arrangement would amount to an astounding $8 million, excluding additional fees. Furthermore, a source from NBC told BILD, a German tabloid, that Dogg could potentially earn up to $15 million for his involvement in the games, thanks to a TV ratings bonus.

Olympic ratings have skyrocketed in the United States, with a 79 percent increase compared to the Tokyo Games, and an average of 34 million viewers tuning in—largely credited to Snoop Dogg’s presence.

NBC producer Molly Solomon described Snoop Dogg as the “ambassador of happiness” during a pre-games press conference attended by BILD. She expressed surprise at his popularity, noting that Snoop Dogg has helped NBC reach a completely new audience.

Fans have had mixed reactions to the news of Snoop Dogg’s hefty paycheck. While some support his earnings, with one user commenting, “He’s worth every penny,” there has been significant backlash over the disparity between his earnings and those of the athletes. Critics have highlighted the unfairness, with comments like, “Meanwhile athletes are getting paid [pennies] for a medal and horrible sleeping [arrangements],” and “And athletes are sleeping on grounds.”

Many expressed shock at the amount Snoop Dogg is reportedly earning, with one user exclaiming, “PER DAY?!?!” and another adding, “Wow! That’s an insane number.” Some found humor in the situation, with one user sarcastically noting, “That’s why gold medals are only $37k lol.”

However, there is significant frustration among fans, with one noting, “As much as I love Snoop, the fact he’s getting paid significantly more than any of the athletes participating in the Olympics is outrageous.”

The debate over athlete compensation extends beyond Snoop Dogg’s earnings. According to CNBC, the United States awards $38,000 to athletes who win gold medals, $23,000 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze.

According to CNBC, some athletes receive additional prizes such as cars and apartments from private companies and governments, either as a substitute for or in addition to cash awards.

A notable point of contention online is that US gymnasts competing in the trials do not receive payment, unlike other professional athletes. Additionally, while US athletes do not receive a salary for participating in the Olympics, medal winners do receive prize money.

In stark contrast to Snoop Dogg’s lucrative daily earnings, musicians performing at the Olympics face different financial arrangements. On Friday, July 26, Celine Dion took the stage at the Olympics’ opening ceremony for her first performance since her health diagnosis two years ago. She performed Édith Piaf’s classic “Hymne à l’amour” on the Eiffel Tower.

The “Queen of Power Ballads” made her emotional return to the stage in a stunning white silk georgette gown, adorned with shimmering beads and sequins that cascaded down to the floor.

Initially, TMZ reported that Celine Dion would be earning an impressive $2 million for her performance, with the Olympics covering all travel expenses, including jets and boats. However, this claim was later refuted by a spokesperson for the Paris 2024 Games.

Page Six clarified that performers at the Games would not receive a fee for their performances. Instead, the organization will cover technical production costs and other performance-related expenses. This approach underscores the performers’ dedication to being part of a historic event rather than performing for financial gain.

While artists like Celine Dion highlighted the artistic side of the Olympics, the living conditions for athletes have also sparked significant discussion. On July 31, 2024, media coverage revealed that many athletes were leaving the Olympic Village due to dissatisfaction with the poor facilities, choosing to stay in luxury hotels instead.

US tennis player Emma Navaro complained about the village having cardboard beds. The beds were described as anti-sex, and Navaro complained about not sleeping well on them because they were too small.

When Manu Bhaker was asked if she was going to sleep with her medal next to her like cricketers and their trophies, she joked, “Well, I have a very small bed; you tell me will I be able to?”

The Indian athlete joked that she’d probably fall off the bed, so she wouldn’t take the risk. She explained that if she had a bigger bed, she probably would’ve slept with her medal. The beds and village are part of the Paris Olympics’ effort to create a zero-waste green environment for the athletes.

Fred Richard of the US Gymnastics team even pre-arranged a mattress to be delivered ahead of the games so he could have a good night’s sleep. After Richard’s move, the rest of the team ordered mattress toppers.

The beds aren’t the only issue in the village, as the hot rooms have also caused commotion. Before the Olympics began, the games were expected to be the hottest in history. But keeping with the green theme, Paris added geothermal cooling systems instead of air conditioning.

Team US fought back by getting portable air conditioning units. The Olympic athletes also faced issues with food. Bhaker complained about the village having a lack of proper food. The village had prepared to serve 13 million meals, but when the athletes arrived, they complained that there wasn’t enough protein.

Others complained that the food was sub-par. News of an egg shortage also emerged while Paris chose to have more green menus. The issue led to athletes leaving before it got resolved. According to reports, one athlete claimed that they found worms in their food.

Great Britain’s Adam Peaty reported finding insects in his food at the Olympic Village and criticized the offerings as “just not good enough.” The 29-year-old athlete, who won a silver medal in the individual 100m breaststroke, felt that the food provided in Paris fell short of the standards set at previous Olympics.

His team had to bring a chef to Paris due to the “inadequate” food served early in the Olympics. Peaty attributed the issue to the organizers’ push for a more sustainable Games, which included a pledge to make 60% of meals meat-free. Peaty, who relies on meat for performance and prefers it to fish—which he found contaminated with worms—was frustrated by the lack of protein options and the long wait times for food due to inadequate systems in place.

Italian swimmers Thomas Ceccon and Gregorio Paltrinieri also voiced concerns about the village’s poor conditions. Paltrinieri reported difficulty sleeping due to the lack of air conditioning and described the village as the “worst I have ever experienced,” noting that “athletes are not safeguarded.”

As the Paris Summer Games approach their conclusion, the stark contrast between Snoop Dogg’s lucrative contract and the athletes’ challenging living conditions continues to fuel debate. This discussion about disparities is expected to persist, influencing future considerations for the Olympics.