Equal Pay And Sports

[wallyj84]

Putting this in politics as I think it will turn political and quick.

Recently the US women's soccer team had their equal pay claims dismissed by a judge. I agreed with the judge's decision, but I wonder what affect this will have on future equal pay claims female athletes might make.

What did you think of the decision? Was it a setback for equal pay in sports? Is equal pay in sports a good or bad idea?

 

[Candela]

I personally think sports figures are paid too much. I do think there should be a salary cap and yes, If you play on a team, You should get the same pay as the next guy.

 

[SexyFantasyGirl]

I believe they both get the same percent of the money they bring in, so isn't that the same thing,

if they both generate the same amount of money the pay should be the same, if not then why should they get it.

 

[wallyj84]

I personally think sports figures are paid too much. I do think there should be a salary cap and yes, If you play on a team, You should get the same pay as the next guy.

What do you think is the appropriate amount for athletes to get paid? Who should get lion's share of the profit made by organizations like NBA or NFL?

 

[wallyj84]

I believe they both get the same percent of the money they bring in, so isn't that the same thing,

if they both generate the same amount of money the pay should be the same, if not then why should they get it.

In the case of the women's national team, they actually made more overall and per game than the men's team. However due to differences in their respective CBAs the women would have received higher bonuses if they were operating under the men's CBA.

 

[SexyFantasyGirl]

In the case of the women's national team, they actually made more overall and per game than the men's team. However due to differences in their respective CBAs the women would have received higher bonuses if they were operating under the men's CBA.

I thought I read some where that they both got the same percent, but really not sure.
If that's true then yes the women should get the same or more than men do.

 

[wallyj84]

I thought I read some where that they both got the same percent, but really not sure.
If that's true then yes the women should get the same or more than men do.

I don't know what each group makes as a percentage of revenue.

My understanding of the WNT's argument was that they deserved to receive the same bonuses as the men's team. They don't make the same bonuses because they have a different CBA that prioritizes guaranteed money and health benefits, which the men's team doesn't get, over potential money like bonuses for winning.

It is complicated and there is a lot going on. The women had the opportunity to get the same CBA as the men, but they chose to make their own CBA with the previously mentioned benefits. However, they chose guaranteed benefits because the women's soccer leagues don't offer much money, whereas the men's players didn't need guaranteed money from US Soccer because they got higher pay in the clubs they played for when they aren't playing for US Soccer. So the issue with the pay has a lot to do with the state of women's soccer overall and probably a lot to do with the state of women's sports in general.

I don't know. I'm rambling.

 

[SexyFantasyGirl]

I don't know what each group makes as a percentage of revenue.

My understanding of the WNT's argument was that they deserved to receive the same bonuses as the men's team. They don't make the same bonuses because they have a different CBA that prioritizes guaranteed money and health benefits, which the men's team doesn't get, over potential money like bonuses for winning.

It is complicated and there is a lot going on. The women had the opportunity to get the same CBA as the men, but they chose to make their own CBA with the previously mentioned benefits. However, they chose guaranteed benefits because the women's soccer leagues don't offer much money, whereas the men's players didn't need guaranteed money from US Soccer because they got higher pay in the clubs they played for when they aren't playing for US Soccer. So the issue with the pay has a lot to do with the state of women's soccer overall and probably a lot to do with the state of women's sports in general.

I don't know. I'm rambling.

I just believe they don’t deserve equal pay just because they are women, if they bring in the same revenue as men then yes give it to them

 

[wallyj84]

I just believe they don’t deserve equal pay just because they are women, if they bring in the same revenue as men then yes give it to them

I agree with that. These kinds of decisions should be made based on revenue generated.

When I look at the situation, it seems to me like the WNT used the current national mood to try and enrich themselves in a way that was kind of wrong. They and US Soccer signed the CBA in good faith and at the time, as I understand it at least, everyone was celebrating it as a great achievement. When they signed it, the WNT wasn't this unstoppable force and had lost a couple of years in a row, so guaranteed benefits like a salary and healthcare were seen as a bit of a coup. They lost out on potential money, but got guaranteed money. That is a fair trade, IMO. To complain about it after the fact, just seems dishonest to me.

 

[Top_Englishman]

I believe they both get the same percent of the money they bring in, so isn't that the same thing,

if they both generate the same amount of money the pay should be the same, if not then why should they get it.

That’s a good idea from SFG. I’m not sure what happens in the rest of the world of tennis. But at the Wimbledon tournament men and woman’s players get the same price money. $2,983,000 each. But the men play 5 sets and the women 3 sets. So the imbalance goes the other way.

 

[Klingsor]

That’s a good idea from SFG. I’m not sure what happens in the rest of the world of tennis. But at the Wimbledon tournament men and woman’s players get the same price money. $2,983,000 each. But the men play 5 sets and the women 3 sets. So the imbalance goes the other way.

Are ticket prices for women's matches 3/5 the prices for men's?

 

[Tight_N_Juicy]

Women's soccer, they get more views/ad revenue and are still paid less and have to play in sub-par conditions.

Pay. Women. Equally.

 

[Klingsor]

Women's soccer, they get more views/ad revenue and are still paid less and have to play in sub-par conditions.

Pay. Women. Equally.

Or fairly. Which, in this case, would be *more* than equally.

 

[Tight_N_Juicy]

Or fairly. Which, in this case, would be *more* than equally.

 

[MickeyLee]

Like how many championships have American Mens Soccer teams brought home?

How many championships have American Women's Soccer team brought home?

Years of inequity, both in access to and investment in, have resulted in women's sports being the red-headed bastard step-child of the sports industry.

The only real comparison in male vs female sports requires comparing individual sports vs team. For women, like gymnastics and figure skating. For men, soccer/football/baseball.

Bringing in money and pulling views. Women dominate individual sports. Gymnastics and Figure Skating dominates their respective Olympic broadcasts. Still, the women competing in both sports do not see proportional advantage in monetary compensation.

Stigma against female athletes are sadly a thing. Physical strength is not celebrated in women, feminity and sexuality are often attacked. Competitiveness is seen as self serving in women.

The double suck is women working twice as hard. Facing triple the backlash. And making a third of a paycheck. And that will not change as long as old white men are making the rules.

New sport. Blood sports. I'm down.

 

[Call_Me_Dave]

The main problem in getting women equal pay for women is revenue. Owners/leagues aren’t going to pay anyone more than they have to. As long as less spectators watch women’s sports at a lower rate, therefore bringing in less$, there isn’t going to be equal pay. Sadly, it will be up to the spectators to help swing the pay scale more towards even. What sucks is that there are so many areas without a women’s pro team to support. Even watching on tv helps, when it’s available.

 

[Nick Briggs]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/life...43ae7e-70b6-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html

Why Female Athletes Earn Less Than Men Across Most Sports

It's not about inequality in "this case". It's about viewership and fans.

Professional sports.... IS... a popularity game. Millions more people subscribe to, and watch, Men's Athletics than they do Women's. Meaning more "Hero" athletes, more players who are sponsorship, ad endorsement, and bonus-worthy. And more money coming in in the first place to throw at the players, the leagues, and teams to keep them growing.

As unhappy as some people might be about it, professional sports only partially has to do with what you accomplish... it has soooooo much more to do with how popular you are, and how many people are watching. "Ratings & Popularity".

Like i said, angry as people might be about it. It's not about inequality.... a massive amount of people just watch mens sports more than they do women's. Which means they don't get a bigger slice until that changes in the sense of team sports.

The highest paid female athletes are your solo performers. Tennis stars like Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and like fighter / wrestler Ronda Rousey. Your househood names..... your "Popular Ones" / "Stars".

Thats just the way it is in the television business.... just like it is in hollywood. Top actors and top actresses get more money than your low ranking "nobody".

Business is business, it's not personal, it's not about inequality.... allllll those other phrases and sayings haha. They're never gonna "cap" or install a socialist agenda to these household names to "make it fair".... because you can't force people to love and pay with money or their time to see people you don't care about as much as you do "person / team X" over there.

Popularity, Ratings, Fans, Viewership = $$$$

 

[Industrialsize]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/life...43ae7e-70b6-11e7-8f39-eeb7d3a2d304_story.html

Why Female Athletes Earn Less Than Men Across Most Sports

It's not about inequality in "this case". It's about viewership and fans.

Professional sports.... IS... a popularity game. Millions more people subscribe to, and watch, Men's Athletics than they do Women's. Meaning more "Hero" athletes, more players who are sponsorship, ad endorsement, and bonus-worthy. And more money coming in in the first place to throw at the players, the leagues, and teams to keep them growing.

As unhappy as some people might be about it, professional sports only partially has to do with what you accomplish... it has soooooo much more to do with how popular you are, and how many people are watching. "Ratings & Popularity".

Like i said, angry as people might be about it. It's not about inequality.... a massive amount of people just watch mens sports more than they do women's. Which means they don't get a bigger slice until that changes in the sense of team sports.

The highest paid female athletes are your solo performers. Tennis stars like Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and like fighter / wrestler Ronda Rousey. Your househood names..... your "Popular Ones" / "Stars".

Thats just the way it is in the television business.... just like it is in hollywood. Top actors and top actresses get more money than your low ranking "nobody".

Business is business, it's not personal, it's not about inequality.... allllll those other phrases and sayings haha. They're never gonna "cap" or install a socialist agenda to these household names to "make it fair".... because you can't force people to love and pay with money or their time to see people you don't care about as much as you do "person / team X" over there.

Popularity, Ratings, Fans, Viewership = $$$$

According to financial reports from the U.S. Soccer Federation reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, USWNT games generated more total revenue than the USMNT games from 2016 through 2018: $50.8 million in revenue vs. $49.9 million for the men.
US viewership of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final was 22% higher than the 2018 men’s final
US viewership of the 2019 Women's World Cup final was 22% higher than the 2018 men's final

 

[Tight_N_Juicy]

The main problem in getting women equal pay for women is revenue. Owners/leagues aren’t going to pay anyone more than they have to. As long as less spectators watch women’s sports at a lower rate, therefore bringing in less$, there isn’t going to be equal pay. Sadly, it will be up to the spectators to help swing the pay scale more towards even. What sucks is that there are so many areas without a women’s pro team to support. Even watching on tv helps, when it’s available.

That's the problem though... See @MickeyLee post above.

This is an issue if inequality.

 

[Call_Me_Dave]

That's the problem though... See @MickeyLee post above.

This is an issue if inequality.

The problem in the case of the USWNT is that it’s part of FIFA or some global entity. Globally they bring in less revenue, due to many countries where soccer is huge and sexism is even bigger. Some countries might not even air women’s games, as shitty as that is. There’s no doubt that within the USWNT has had far more success, made more money (for someone) and resulted in higher sponsorships for individual players. In Thisbe particular case, globally the men bring in more, regardless of how good they are. It’s unfortunate it isn’t more merit based or the audiences were more open to diversity in sports.

I personally like women’s soccer as much, if not more than men’s. Women’s MMA is also fantastic, though underrepresented. A few women have been co-headliners.