The WNBA, the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, and the United States Women's National Artistic Gymnastics Team are examples of professional women's sports teams in the United States. Many people, both men and women, devote their entire lives to sports. Simone Biles, Alex Morgan, and Caitlin Clark may sound familiar due to their success in sports. They have built their careers by playing the sports they love. Other familiar names may be Josh Allen, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi. These popular male athletes have also built their careers around a sport. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, men earn 17% more than women. 

Eric Kane, Caitlin Clark's manager, was interviewed by ESPN and was asked, “Will Caitlin Clark ever be paid by the WNBA what she is worth to that league?” He responded, “I don’t think that's possible.” Why would women not be paid what they deserve? Do women not work as hard as men do, if not harder? 

Both male and female athletes have the same goal: to succeed in their sport. The only difference is their gender.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that in 2012, boxer Floyd Mayweather made 103% more than tennis player Maria Sharapova. In 2022, little had changed: soccer star Lionel Messi made 87% more than tennis star Naomi Osaka. According to Western Oregon University, in numbers, the average NBA player’s salary is $7.5 million a year. What is the average WNBA player’s salary? $116,000 a year. That is a $7.3 million difference. This evidence proves that people are not doing much to change this lasting issue. 

Looking back in history and comparing the opportunities male and female athletes were given, it is easy to see that they were not equal. The first Olympics were held in 1896, but women could not compete. Four years later, in 1900, women could compete in the Olympics but were only allowed to play “feminine” sports like lawn tennis and sailing. Progress was made in 1972 when Title IX was amended. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex and makes sure everyone is treated equally and fairly. After this, there was an increase in professional women's leagues being made. But still, in 2012, there were 39 events women weren't allowed to participate in the Olympics.

Why is this problem taking so long to change? Do people not want women to succeed? Are men more important than women?

The U.S. Women’s Soccer team saw this problem and wanted to make a change. Cindy Parlow, the president of U.S. Soccer, said in a telephone interview, “It was not an easy process to get to this point for sure. The most important thing here is that we are moving forward, and we are moving forward together.” This fight went on for six years. The women's team was paid 60% less than the men's. Women got shorthanded with training, camps, and meal plans. Many fans took the women's side and wanted to help change this problem. An argument was made that women's sports aren’t as popular, so they don't have as many viewers, resulting in lower pay. But how would they be more popular if they hadn’t been around as long and weren’t promoted as much as male teams? In April 2020, the judge in this lawsuit resolved the case, saying, “The women's team had earned more on both a cumulative and an average per-game basis.” This is a monumental step for female athletes and the future of sports. 

Football is a huge deal at Clarence High School. If you aren't playing, then you are cheering or watching in the stands. In 2023, CHS introduced a girls' varsity flag football team, giving girls the opportunity to play football for the first time for their school. This is bringing equality in sports to our school.

There have been some positive changes regarding pay in women's sports. For that to continue, we need to buy tickets and merchandise and be vocal supporters of females in sports. Change doesn’t happen quickly, but every step makes a difference. The question is, what will you do to help?