Why is Joe Rogan so popular? Breaking down the UFC persona's fame, $250 million Spotify deal, and more

Joe Rogan has carved a unique niche for himself in the sports and entertainment world. The actor and reality TV host notably served as an interviewer for the UFC back in 1997, speaking to fighters in backstage and post-fight segments. Since the sport of MMA and the UFC organization weren't as mainstream back then, the pay standards were low, which led to his departure.

Rogan returned to the UFC as a commentator at UFC 37.5 (June 2002). The former Taekwondo athlete soon became a full-time color commentator for the UFC. His commentary schedule is currently less hectic than in the early years, and he primarily commentates at UFC events in the U.S. Typically, Rogan covers UFC pay-per-view (PPV) cards, and is rarely, if ever, seen commentating Fight Night events.

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Why is Joe Rogan so popular?

Apart from his accomplishments in Hollywood, Joe Rogan has achieved considerable success as a stand-up comedian. Rogan boasts three Netflix comedy specials - 'Triggered' (2016), 'Strange Times' (2018), and 'Burn the Boats' (2024).

'Burn the Boats' is yet another indication of Rogan's influence in today's socio-political landscape. The much-discussed special elicited accusations from some for supposedly comprising transphobic content, while others accused him of using stolen jokes. He's often suggested that transgender females shouldn't be allowed to compete against cisgender females, especially in fighting.

In addition, Rogan found himself in the middle of a political storm during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. He was accused of spreading misinformation concerning the disease and its vaccines. He also featured alleged far-right political personalities on his podcast. Regardless, the controversies and condemnation have only made his brand and fan base stronger.

Joe Rogan's widespread social influence is not just because of his acting, comedy, or UFC commentary, but due to his tremendously successful JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) podcast. He launched it in 2009, and it has since gone on to become one of the biggest podcasts in the world.

Rogan typically invites people from a broad range of professions, socio-political groups and communities. He's a gifted conversationalist and is seemingly unafraid of acknowledging his guests' superior knowledge in their field of expertise. The 57-year-old American's ability to be a good listener and his apparent open-mindedness serve to boost his popularity.

Joe Rogan's status as a podcast mogul has long been complemented by his work as a UFC color commentator. The JRE podcast consistently features some of the world's best combat sports athletes as guests, which further elevates his standing among fight fans worldwide.

Furthermore, Joe Rogan's business acumen is criminally underrated. He famously made waves in the podcasting world by signing an incredibly lucrative deal with Spotify back in 2020.

Per The Wall Street Journal in 2020, the deal fetched Rogan over $100 million. Alternatively, in 2022, The New York Times reported that the deal actually fetched Rogan over $200 million. The multi-year deal made the JRE podcast exclusive to the Spotify platform.

Interestingly, Rogan's podcast is also said to have played a key role in benefitting Spotify in regard to advertisement revenues, via the 'Spotify Audience Network.' Apart from that, Variety reported in 2023 that JRE was ranked the year's No. 1 podcast.

Furthermore, in February 2024, Spotify and Joe Rogan confirmed they'd signed a new multi-year deal, whereby the podcast would continue on Spotify and also appear on additional platforms. The deal reportedly fetched Rogan approximately $250 million.