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The Long Fight for Pay Equality in Sports (Published 2019)

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The U.S. women’s soccer team has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit. The players are the latest athletes to demand equal treatment.

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The USA women's soccer team-now three-time winners of the Women's World Cup-made headlines this time around not just for their brilliant performance, but also for what their victory brought to light: the gender pay gap.

The team was awarded $2 million for their first place finish. While this amount is significant, it pales in comparison to what the USA men's team received last year after losing in round sixteen: $9 million. And it really pales in comparison to what the Germany men's team received for winning: $35 million.

Some argue the gender pay gap in professional soccer is fair because the men's World Cup brings in more money. Others say that women's sports just aren't as entertaining. But instead of simply accepting this reality, I can't help but wonder: Shouldn't we try to find a way to make pay for athletes equitable, regardless of gender? Shouldn't we strive for women's sports to be as valued as men's, in terms of pay and also in terms of viewership? (And should any athletes, regardless of gender, be paid so much in the first place?)

Most famous female athletes make up for the gender pay gap by taking on sponsorships. Some even end up pursuing modeling careers. The very highest paid female soccer athletes, including the United States' Alex Morgan, make only around a half million playing soccer. The highest paid men, in contrast, can earn more than $50 million for their salary and other winnings.

Women, then, make staggeringly less than what male players like Cristiano Ronaldo make simply for playing the game. While some men get much of their income from advertising as well, it is not on the same scale and tends to not be of the same proportion as women, who rely on this type of exposure for their income.

Morgan commented during an interview that "Scoring a goal in a World Cup was my dream as a little girl. I didn't really dream of being in Maxim when I was 5." Yet it is these very endorsements that have given her, and many other female athletes, the ability to keep up with male professionals. Comparing Alex Morgan with Manchester City player and England captain, Steph Houghton, this becomes apparent.

As the image shows, Morgan may be making more. But for what? Sponsorships and endorsements. These have contributed to her popularity, and have significantly increased her net worth. But she is not adequately compensated for being the talented athlete she worked so hard to become.

There are male players who get a lot of their income from advertising. Cristiano Ronaldo, a well known player (whether it be for his athletic ability or his underwear ads) has signed a contract that will now raise his pay for just playing to $52 million each year, making him the world's highest paid active player. He makes quite a bit of money through advertising and endorsements - $28 million annually. But even with such staggering endorsement earnings, his income for playing is still higher. Ronaldo still makes more than Alex Morgan, or any other female player, for just playing soccer, all the while taking in an incredible amount for advertising.

Does female athletes' apparent dependence on advertising and modeling lead to disrespect? Does it lead to sexist tweets such as Andy Benoit from Sports Illustrated tweeting that all women's sports are "not worth watching" or comments like Stephen A. Smith's saying that some of these athletes hold themselves back because they "might not have wanted to mess their hair up"?

Regardless of the reason-whether viewers care about women's sports or seeing their favorite Maxim model compete-attention on female sporting events is growing. The 2015 Women's World Cup Final match drew between 20-24 million viewers, making it the most watched soccer game in US history. This impressive amount fell just short of the 28 million who watched the NCAA Men's Basketball Finals.

The women's pay-and respect for them as athletes- should grow accordingly.

Why should any of us care about the gender pay gap in professional sports? The startling reality is that the gender gap in pay reaches far outside the sporting world. The American Association of University Women recently published a study showing that even when both genders' levels of education and experience are the same, the gap remains. Women are paid 78 percent of what men are paid on average in nearly every occupation. It is even worse for women of color as Hispanic women make 54 percent of white men's earnings and black women make 64 percent of white men's earnings. Motherhood, likelihood of working in low-paying industries, the hesitancy of women to ask for promotions, and discrimination are all thought to play a role in contributing to this disparity.

In the sports world, pay equality is growing in some areas, like tennis. As professional sporting brings in a ridiculous amount of money in general, we should find a way to invest more in our female athletes and pay them the same as their male counterparts.

Women athletes work just as hard as men. They shouldn't have to become Maxim models to prove their worth.
Kelsey Clark is an intern at the Institute for Policy Studies. She is also a soccer player at the College of Wooster.

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Gender Pay Gap for Women Athletes - Inequality.org

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The USA women's soccer team-now three-time winners of the Women's World Cup-made headlines this time around not just for their brilliant performance, but also for what their victory brought to light: the gender pay gap. The team was awarded $2 million for their first place finish.

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The fight for gender equality is an ongoing battle despite the tremendous progress made in the past few decades. The world's finest female athletes lag behind their male counterparts in terms of earnings. Indeed, there is as much a gender pay gap in sports as there is in corporate America, and the discrepancy is glaring and unfair.

Basketball

In basketball, the pay gap between the NBA first pick and the WNBA first pick is huge. DeAndre Ayton will earn $5,091,500 next season in comparison to A'ja Wilson, who will earn a little over $50,000. This disparity means that a player who led her team to the championship last year and to the championship game this year will make 100% less than a male player.

For the 2018 season, WNBA players will make, on average, somewhere around $79,000 with veterans who have been in the league for at least six years and are eligible for a maximum salary of $115,500. In contrast, the average starting salary of NBA players is upwards of $500,000 with two of its best players-Steph Curry and LeBron James-both earning well over $32 million a year or roughly $2.6 million a month. In short, even the "worst" players in the NBA earn considerably more than the WNBA's best.

Tennis

Tennis has been hailed as a leader in gender equality among major sports, and the numbers seem to show that-at least when it comes to the four Grand Slam tournaments and a handful of high-profile events. There is no pay gap in these competitions. The female players get the same prize money as their male counterparts. Both Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens, for instance, received $3.7 million for winning last year's U.S. Open while Roger Federer and Serena Williams both took home $4 million as Australian Open champions.

Gender equality, right?

Well, not exactly. Dig a little deeper, and the truth emerges. The New York Times reports female tennis players earn 80 cents for each dollar earned by male players, and this discrepancy "matches the general pay gap in American workplaces." This gap translates to a difference of roughly $120,624 in total earnings.
This difference means the 15th ranked male player in the world, on average, makes $120,624 more compared to a female player with the same ranking. There is still a disparity. Thankfully for female tennis players, the discrepancy is not as glaring as in the case of the WNBA and the NBA, or United States (and global) soccer.

Soccer

Two of the world's highest-earning sports stars ply their trade on the soccer pitch with Ladbrokes revealing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi earn $94 million and $81 million, respectively. Ronaldo and Messi deserve every penny, of course, as they are arguably two of best, most successful players to ever play soccer.

However, if we use that pay-for-performance argument, it is clear that the United States Women's National Team is grossly underpaid. They have far outperformed their male counterparts and have the hardware to prove it (four Olympic Gold medals and three World Cups).

Even more glaring is that while female players receive higher base salaries for playing in their league than men ($72,000), they get less of everything else according to The Atlantic . Male players receive bonuses for simply showing up for a game, while women get a game bonus only after playing in 20 friendlies.

The gap widens in international competitions where male players are awarded over $50,000 when they make the World Cup roster on top of a $75 daily allowance while female players are "rewarded" only $15,000 and a $60 daily allowance.

This pay discrepancy can, of course, be attributed to the laughably egregious gender pay gap that, for so long, has been sanctioned by FIFA-the sport's governing body. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, losing in round 16 meant a $9 million bonus for the losing team. By comparison, the United States women's team that won the 2015 FIFA World Cup got $2 million for their efforts.

Male Athletes = Female Athletes

Tennis, as discussed previously, has been a leader in gender equality, as it is only in tennis where the women earn as much as the men-at least in Grand Slams and high-profile events. Athletics are making serious ground as well, with the International Amateur Athletic Federation World Championships offering financial rewards that are "gender-blind."

These gender-blind athletic events are legitimate, feel-good stories in the battle for gender equality, but there remains a caveat nonetheless: a stark pay gap still exists beyond these prestigious competitions.

Still, progress is being made, and that is always a good thing. There is a handful of times when Serena Williams can make just as much money as Roger Federer or when Tori Brown can earn the same prize winnings as Tyson Gay.

Last year, Williams wrote a passionate essay on the gender pay gap in America-both in tennis and in other industries. Her advice to women was to speak out for equal pay and be fearless.

An Uphill Climb

Several factors contribute to this gender pay gap in sports. These include sexism, mismatched media coverage, and most disconcerting, the lack of women holding governing positions in sports organizations. With no significant change being made to ensure equality in pay and representation, female athletes will remain on the short end of the pay scale for the foreseeable future.

All Too Common

These pay discrepancies are clearly commonplace in the world of sports, and this reality is but a microcosm of the bigger problem of gender inequality. This problem, unfortunately, is continuing to persist, and it can be best addressed if everyone involved-the players themselves (both men and women), the fans, the media, the sponsors, and the governing organizations-push for change.

Until then, the WNBA's A'ja Wilson will be earning in a season what DeAndre Ayton will be making in a month, and the United States Women's National Soccer Team combined will make significantly less than either Messi or Ronaldo.

Andrea Casper is a fitness professional with over six years experience. Alongside her passions for health and wellness is her drive to improve equality in the sports and fitness industry. She hopes that her work will bring increased awareness to issues surrounding equality. In her spare time, she runs ultra marathons.

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Examining the Gender Pay Gap in Elite Sports

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The fight for gender equality is an ongoing battle despite the tremendous progress made in the past few decades. The world's finest female athletes lag behind their male counterparts in terms of earnings. Indeed, there is as much a gender pay gap in sports as there is in corporate America, and the discrepancy is glaring and unfair.

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LQwA-Hh2bT9J7aK5L2gRgZcVlmepo35k1DXN5GpJvo8/edit?usp=sharing

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https://newsela.com/read/gender-stereotypes-kids/id/35460/

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Climate change: Earth's giant game of Tetris - Joss Fong

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Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.

Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products

Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach

Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don't Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life

Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner

Read pet food labels and consider seafood sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water, a practice that can introduce non-native species harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean

Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community

Research the ocean policies of public officials before you vote or contact your local representatives to let them know you support marine conservation projects. Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly

Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water. Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If you're set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life

All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you'll want to help ensure its health-then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

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Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.

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Cookcup4

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Can scientists save the world's coral reefs?

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Cookcup4

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The harsh weather this winter has some people wondering if global warming is real.

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Cookcup4

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Subscribers receive access to the website and print magazine.

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https://www.worldwildlife.org/
https://www.ourplanet.com/en/

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Scholastic Code: Cookcup4

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3753790

https://sn4.scholastic.com/issues/2017-18/042318/closing-the-gap.html

https://storyworks.scholastic.com/issues/2015-16/110115/Malala-the-Powerful.html