Forbes' 2019 list of the highest-paid athletes was released this week, and only one woman made it into top 100. In a time when women are struggling for recognition in sports, this is a stark reminder of just how little progress women have made and how far they still have to go.
These dismal stats come at a time when pay discrepancies in soccer are making headlines. Ada Hegerberg, considered one of the world’s best women’s soccer players is sitting out the 2019 Women’s World Cup to protest the disparity in pay, conditions and recognition between the men’s and women’s leagues. In the United States, all 28 members of the women’s team filed a class-action gender discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation with similar complaints.
The truth is the pay gap in sports is typically a reflection of revenue generated by men’s versus women’s sports. In soccer, the 2010 men’s World Cup earned about, while the women’s World Cup in 2011 brought in about $73 million. So, the women actually took home a higher percentage of the revenues than did the men . So why do women's sports attract fewer fans and generate less revenue?
Ryall argues that it's not speed or strength, but sexism that is the root cause for the lack of interest in women’s sports. She concedes that the quality of play may not be as high on some women's teams, but that again is due to sexism. The lack of pay, she argues, makes the return on investment on endless hours of training just not worth it for women. And there are still social pressures that keep young girls from engaging in sports the way that young boys do.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why magician Penn Jillette fasts 23 hours a day to maintain his 100-pound weight lossPenn Jillette didn't listen to the experts who told him to get his stomach stapled. But he did radically change his diet, and tries to fast 23 hours a day.
Read more »
It's been 100 years since we've seen anybody like Elon Musk — here's why that's so disorientingThe Tesla CEO is more like an old-school automotive entrepreneur than a modern-day business manager.
Read more »
Your Dog Will 100% Hate You For Putting Them in One of These Mermaid Life JacketsWelp, today in 'funny dog products your pooch will secretly loathe you for purchasing' news, we just discovered that mermaid-inspired life jackets for dogs exist, and they're just as flippin' adorable as you'd imagine. Currently sold on Amazon in three different sizes, the flotation devices are made of a shimmery, scaly blue material and feature a prominent tail that floats on the water's surface as your pup paddles along. Whether your pet is learning to swim, hanging with you in the pool, joining in on your kayak adventures, or riding along in a boat, these mermaid life jackets are a great option for keeping them afloat and safe.
Read more »
Something Borrowed: How I Turned a 100-Year-Old Sari Into My Wedding VeilHow a cross-continental flight and some careful seamstress work helped one bride combine two cultures on her wedding day.
Read more »