How Much Did Netflix Fork Out for Honnold’s Risky Taipei 101 Stunt Without Safety Equipment?

Alex Honnold, world – famous fearless climber who recently scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper without any safety equipment, has finally addressed the intense speculation regarding his payout from Netflix. The 40-year-old athlete completed the staggering 101-story ascent in the Taiwanese capital in just one hour and 35 minutes, a feat broadcast live to millions across the globe.

Despite the life-threatening nature of the climb, Honnold appears unfazed by the financial debate surrounding the event. During a recent appearance on the podcast The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett, he was asked directly if the rumors of a half-million-dollar paycheck were accurate.

Essentially, over the course of my life, I’ve done a ton of work for free, Honnold told Bartlett, brushing off the focus on specific figures. He explained that he views his career as a passion project rather than a pursuit of high-stakes contracts.

It’s all part of the game, and I just like to play, he noted during the interview, emphasizing that he preferred to let the chips fall where they may. He found it particularly amusing that many observers felt he was actually underpaid for the level of risk involved.

Honnold further clarified that the financial rewards of such stunts often come through secondary channels rather than the initial fee. He mentioned that bonuses and new business opportunities began pouring in almost immediately after he reached the spire of the building.

You don’t have to be paid for the thing itself because it all works out in the end, he advised, suggesting that quality performance is the real currency. For Honnold, the goal was to make the climb damn good and trust that the rest would follow naturally.

The climber had previously stirred the pot in an interview with the New York Times, where he described his compensation as an embarrassingly small amount. In his conversation with Bartlett, he provided much-needed context for that provocative statement.

He explained that the comment was born out of a comparison to the astronomical contracts seen in major league sports. If you compare it to Major League Baseball contracts, then it’s an embarrassingly small amount, he said, while clarifying that he was never actually complaining.

I would have done it for free, he admitted, revealing that his agent was likely the only one disappointed by the final numbers. For a man who spent a decade living in a van to pursue his passion, the thrill of the ascent clearly outweighs the weight of his wallet.

Since the historic Taipei climb in January, Honnold has returned to his roots in environmental advocacy and traditional rock climbing. He continues to lead the Honnold Foundation, which focuses on providing solar energy to marginalized communities worldwide, a cause funded largely by his high-profile exploits.

While he has no immediate plans for another skyscraper, he remains a key figure in the outdoor documentary space, often collaborating with National Geographic. His recent focus has been on “buildering” techniques, though he frequently reminds fans that his heart remains on the granite walls of Yosemite.

The Netflix special, titled Skyscraper Live, featured a star-studded commentary team including sports broadcaster Elle Duncan and YouTuber Mark Rober. It has already become one of the most-watched live sporting events in the platform’s history, solidifying Honnold’s status as a household name beyond the climbing community.

Do you think elite athletes like Honnold deserve professional sports-level payouts for these high-risk live events, or is the personal achievement enough in the comments!