The first Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) was a seismic moment in the world of professional grappling, but behind the scenes, it was also a financial rollercoaster. Despite making history with a record-breaking $1 million prize purse and drawing nearly 2 million viewers, the event suffered a costly setback. According to Craig Jones himself, copyright issues surrounding the music used during the live broadcast led to the complete loss of revenue from Day 1. That single day accounted for over 58% of total viewership, making it the more profitable half of the two-night event, on paper.
A Huge Mistake
Jones revealed the mishap in a candid social media post:
“We lost day 1 due to copyrighted music and only made money off day 2… I wanted every dollar to stay on our channel.”
It was an expensive lesson, but also a fixable one. And it hasn’t derailed the mission.
Despite the loss, CJI’s debut was still a resounding success. Not only did it recoup its initial costs, but it also raised $500,000 for Tap Cancer Out, a nonprofit committed to funding cancer-fighting initiatives through the martial arts community.
New Wave coach John Danaher praised the event:
“That was a fantastic show. They did an incredible job against all the odds.”
The success was so pronounced that a second event—CJI 2—is already in motion. Slated for 2025 in Las Vegas, the follow-up will once again push boundaries. Promoter Seth Belisle confirmed that the sequel will feature eight teams competing for another $1 million prize, this time in a quintet-style format. For him, Las Vegas is the obvious choice:
“Vegas is just ideal for the second one… I literally would not change anything about the production.”
Beyond the entertainment and spectacle, the Craig Jones Invitational has reignited conversations around athlete pay in grappling, setting a new benchmark that competitors and promoters alike will have to answer for.
So yes, losing Day 1’s revenue stung—but it didn’t sink the ship. It sharpened the vision. CJI was always intended as a proof of concept, and in that regard, it succeeded beyond expectation. The real takeaway? Grappling has a new financial model—and it’s wearing the Craig Jones stamp.
