Editorial by Juan Carlos Lopez

WBFF vs IFBB

By now the WBFF and the IFBB are surely the two more well known federations to compete in North America. Of course we have the other smaller federations but they haven't grown much or even gotten smaller. The WBFF is the new federation that has made the IFBB afraid, but should they be afraid?

The answer is no, not at this point at least. The IFBB has surely many flaws specially with media and marketing allowing itself to never ever grow much. The Arnold Classic is the only event that really welcomes any type of media from all over the world, hence the reason why they are the biggest.

You would think the IFBB would apply this to all their events and allow more media but they don't in regards to the IFBB they are well established and the officials only care about making their money and going home with it. It may not be a lot but good enough money for what most officials who otherwise did not study a career nor have a high paying job.

But the IFBB does not care at most major events if other individuals bring a camera and shoot the event. They simply don't care and this is the biggest flaw in the WBFF. WBFF has an official photographer that pockets all the money from selling images to the competitors but this in turn stop the federation from growing. Cameras are not allowed at larger events and people will be stopped from shooting.

The WBFF World's did not have a title sponsor so that should tell you something about their business. If media isn't allowed to take images then there is no visibility for any potential sponsor.

This and other details such as forcing competitors to stay at host hotel, tanning/makeup/hair services will stop some competitors from entering these expensive shows. If the WBFF continues this they will not grow, as of now their growing curve is going downhill.

IFBB can rest and rest well as they have nothing to worry about.

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