Should Female Athletes Be Paid?

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Imagine putting in the same hours of training, competing in the same arduous manner, and walking away with a quarter of the salary. This is the reality for many women athletes today. Female athletes in certain sports can earn up to 80% less than their male colleagues. The purpose of advocating for equal pay in sports is to ensure that athletes are recognized and treated fairly regardless of gender, hence creating an environment of equity, respect, and opportunity in the world of sports. Without it, the basis of justice and equality breaks, leaving female athletes trying to climb a ladder with missing rungs. Also, equal pay in sports is evaluating athletes' abilities, acknowledging their dedication, and rewarding their accomplishments. It maintains …show more content…

Both men and women put in the same level of effort, dedication, and skill into their respective sports. Their contribution to the success and popularity of the sport is equal. In an article titled “These Stats Show How the USWNT Leads in Soccer – and How Far It Lags in Compensation,” it states that the maximum amount of money the women’s team would earn if they played 20 friendlies and won them all would be a total of $99,000, which is $4,950 per game. The men’s team would receive a total of $263,320 under the same circumstances as the women, which is $13,166 per game. When both the U.S. men’s team and the U.S. women’s team put in the same exact amount of effort, the women’s team receives significantly less than the men. The difference in pay between these two teams demonstrates how the pay gap between male and female athletes is so substantial that it is like comparing a mountain to a molehill. It leads many to think, if female athletes put in the same amount of training, effort, and dedication as their male counterparts, why should they receive less compensation? Men and women both work just as hard in their sports, so the pay should reflect that. Not only do women work as hard as males on the field, but they also have an enormous impact off of

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