Is ABC Paying ‘Golden Bachelor’ Mel Owens Big Money?
The Golden Bachelor is making its return this fall with a brand-new season and a brand-new leading man. ABC renewed the senior spinoff despite Gerry Turner’s disastrous divorce just four months after marrying Theresa Nist.
But Season 2 has already been plagued with controversy. The new lead, Mel Owens, went viral earlier this month for his harsh comments about dating women over the age of sixty. But the network is standing by their man. Are they paying Mel Owens big money to be the next Golden Bachelor?
Mel Owens Hit With Massive Divorce Payment
Mel Owens was married to his first wife, Fabiana Owens, for nearly twenty years. They share two sons. The couple divorced in 2020. She’s since spoken out with a message for the women picked for Season 2.
The divorce battle was finally resolved in 2024. Mel Owens reportedly had to pay his ex a whopping $980,000, which included back child support.
Is ABC Paying The Next Golden Bachelor Big Money?
In the Season 2 announcement, Mel Owens said he was looking for companionship later in life. But some fans think he joined the reality show for fame or money. How much money is ABC paying him?
The exact salaries paid to Bachelor Nation leads and contestants aren’t public knowledge. However, several alums over the years have shared what they earned on the show. The male and female contestants on The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelor, and The Golden Bachelorette aren’t paid anything. In fact, they have to spend a lot of money to appear on the show, especially the women. The contestants are responsible for their own outfits, hair, makeup, etc.
The contestants on Bachelor In Paradise are paid a per day rate between $400 and $800, depending on their status with the franchise.
Jason Tartick was a contestant on Becca Kufrin’s season. He made it to the final three before he was sent home. He spilled in 2021 that he was approached to be The Bachelor but turned it down after he started dating Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe.
According to PEOPLE magazine, Jason Tartick claimed he was offered $100,000 for Season 23. He said that Colton Underwood was offered the same deal and accepted it. Colton was the lead for Season 23. Jason and Kaitlyn dated for four years before breaking up in 2023.
If Jason Tartick’s claims are true, Mel Owens was likely paid at least $100,000 to star as the next Golden Bachelor. But that’s just a drop in the bucket compared to his net worth.
Former NFL Player’s Net Worth
Whatever ABC paid Mel Owens to be the next Golden Bachelor is nothing compared to what he made in the NFL. He was a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams for nine seasons. He retired in 1989 after an injury.
After his football days were over, he went back to school to get a law degree. He’s worked as a lawyer for sports injuries for decades. Celebrity Net Worth puts Mel Owens’ net worth at $2 million.
Since he’s already wealthy, do you think Mel Owens truly joined The Golden Bachelor for love?
Season 2 premieres on ABC on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
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