How does a semi-pro make money playing TT?

[Tony's Table Tennis]

True didn't notice the date, but also retired and not full time are very different things in my book

well, other than 2024~2025 when he became busier
2020-2023, he was very very quiet from internationals, hence I said technically retired, not officially retired from international

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

How much money do provincial team members make (teams who participate in the Super leauge)? Think of the average player there so no national team members and no big names such as Xu Xin or Fan Zhendong.

I don't follow this any more
i think the basic salary is was around 500k cny or so
but i'm not sure about those bench warmers.
most people talk about the max, this is the first time someone is asking about the lowest

 

[BlopChock]

Some WTT events require ranking points - ie star contender.

for feeder, 0 points you can get in.
It just needs your national federation to enter you (you can't enter yourself)

Some countries are relaxed about it, some - you can't enter even if you are rich, as some places the prerequistic is to be in the national team for example.

USA had a guy called Wally Green years ago. He was based in China and played half a dozen World Tours (what the tour was called back then). Wally was not part of Team USA or good enough to even challenge the national team players.

He was an amateur playing on the world circuit because he had the wallet to make it happen.
and he loved every moment of it

‘The Sport of Love’: Ping-Pong, the Great Equalizer (Published 2022)

Wally Green has played everywhere from Brooklyn to Pyongyang, becoming a beloved American ambassador for table tennis — and international understanding — in the process.

www.nytimes.com

I still remember there was one time he was playing on the main table.
You can see he was enjoying every moment. I recall he was like Dennis Rodman - keep changing his hair colors

Very interesting read about Wally Green, thanks!

Here's an archive link for anyone interested w/o a NYT sub:

https://archive.is/bBplx

 

[lightspin]

Believe it or not, some people on a province team or even the CNT B team have to pay to be on the team. They don't make any money. If they do well in tournaments or get tournament appearance fees, but usually the better players take up a lot of the potential payout.

 

[Williamad33]

If I may, please satisfy my curiosity:

1. I am targeting this question specifically to those pro or semi-pro players who say play regularly at WTT event in the lesser known series like Contender / Feeder or those who play in the Qualifying Round but does not make it to the main drawn. Yes, those type of player.
2. How do these players make their living?
3. Do they have a regular job outside of TT? Part time coaching? TT equipment salesman?
Spribe games here
Anyone in the know care to share some of the inner working of this? Thanks.

That’s a really good question — it’s something a lot of people don’t realize about life outside the very top tier of table tennis. For many semi-pros, the income usually comes from a mix of sources:

• Club contracts in European or Asian leagues (not huge salaries, but it covers travel and living).
• Coaching — either part-time at local clubs or giving private lessons, which often pays more steadily than tournament winnings.
• Sponsorship / equipment deals — sometimes just free gear, sometimes a bit of financial support.
• Local prize money from smaller tournaments, though this is rarely enough on its own.
• And yes, some players also keep a regular part-time job to balance things out.

 

[I Love Anders Lind]

Thanks Tony. You're da best!

1. I wonder who would sponsor a player who obviously would not have an ounce of chance to reach a podium finish. I am baffled at this.

2. For those who have some high profile job like accountant / lawyer, wow! I mean how could they juggle between those intensive training or prep work and their demanding high profile career. Seriously, those guys / gals must pick a lane eventually. I cannot fathom being good at both. Other than just training on the table, serious players also need to do gym work. On top of that these so call semi-pro players also need to juggle their main income / work.

gionis comes to mind. fully qualified dentist and a pro too

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Believe it or not, some people on a province team or even the CNT B team have to pay to be on the team. They don't make any money. If they do well in tournaments or get tournament appearance fees, but usually the better players take up a lot of the potential payout.

i don't know any provincial player or higher, that needs to pay to be on the team.

provincial players also play in corporate tournaments in China, which has more prize monies than WTTs
you don't need to be the best, but if you are strong enough, your earnings as a Chinese provincial player is pretty decent and would make many European pros jealous.

 

[lightspin]

At my club I knew quite a few. Some of the province team members who actually got a salary would ridicule the other coaches who paid to be on the team. Another player who was quite good was told by his potential coach on the CNT B-team he had to pay money to join and couldn't afford it so he stayed on his province team until he retired.

I know a few of the better province team players who play in corporate tournaments and make a ton of money. One guy refused to join the CNT because he prefers to just play locally and do what he wants to do.