Not everyone on Survivor: Winners at War will be making $2 million after all is said and done. Here’s what the rest of the cast will be paid at the very minimum.
Despite many people writing, discussing, or promoting Survivor over the years, there are so many details about how the show is made that are kept under wraps or shared as trusted rumors. For the longest time, it was unclear exactly what the players agree to, as it’s been half of the show’s lifetime that a portion of the rulebook had been leaked online.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Survivor play kept under wraps has been how much the players get paid outside of $1 million ($2 million this season). Sandra famously pretended to be okay with winning $100,000 for being second place to Russell Hantz’s “winning” game in Heroes vs. Villains, but outside of $10,000 going to castaways attending the reunion, not much is set in stone.
EW has a new report stating that much like the top prize, the season 40 castaways will be making more money for what is perhaps one of the show’s most anticipated casts. According to Dalton Ross, instead of $2,500 going to the first boot as seen in traditional seasons, every player will make at least $25,000 for their island gameplay, with $10,000 going to players who attend the reunion.
With that in mind, you have to remember that not everyone is an easy sell. A first boot could go onto return at the Final Six thanks to the usually terrible (but, in this case, barely acceptable) Edge of Extinction twist, in which they will have their payday increase. Furthermore, it’s entirely possible some of the more prolific players have higher guaranteed minimums.
Additionally, you have to believe that in the back of the producers’ minds, getting Boston Rob and Sandra Diaz-Twine onto season 40 through paying them to provide guidance as mentors on Island of the Idols paid into their consideration for the following season. Players like that, who will guarantee a target on their backs heading into the game, might not have to worry as much thanks to their season 39 paycheck.
One thing I hope we learn is that the top prizes escalate, too, outside of just first. Making it to the end of a 39-day season with winners facing against winners and the jury hanging out for at least 36 days is a tougher feat when everyone has become a Sole Survivor before playing Winners at War.