31-07-2025
‘Nobody's crying!': Debate on gender pay gap in WBNA and sports
Gender discrimination? Or a general disparity in skill?
What's the real reason female professional athletes are often paid so much less than men?
The WNBA has thrown the issue back into the spotlight as talks to negotiate a new pay deal break down.
When some of the world's best female basketballers hit the court for the annual All-Stars game earlier this month... it was their warm-up attire that captured the most global attention.
Their shirts read: 'Pay us what you owe us.'
The league is in crisis. Players have refused to sign the latest collective bargaining agreement and are demanding fair pay.
And you'll note the of the word 'fair' pay. They're not calling for equal pay but rather a fair proportion of the money they generate for the league.
NBA players receive between 49 and 51 per cent of their league's revenue.
The NHL - about 50 per cent.
NFL players get about 48 per cent of league revenue...
While WNBA players are only paid 9.3 per cent of the money they generate for their league.
That's despite record attendance, viewership and merchandise sales figures during the 2024 season.
Some sports do boast pay parity. Grand Slam tennis has the same prize purse for men and women. Indian cricketers receive the same match fees regardless of gender. BUT bonuses and sponsorship deals remain hugely unbalanced.
So - with all that in mind – we'll ask our panel:
- Why aren't female athletes receiving a fair pay cheque?
- Why does women's sport attract less attention - on tv and in person?
- How can the challenges for fair pay be overcome?
