The gender pay gap is an important topic within society, and it’s just as important within sports.
With the US Women’s Soccer team paving the way for US Soccer, BonusFinder decided to have a look into just how astonishing the difference is for prize money being awarded to men and women across sports.
Soccer sees some of the biggest gaps between prize money awarded between male and female sporting events. For the World Cup, winners in the men’s competition received over $40m in the upcoming 2022 tournament in Qatar, whereas the successful women in 2019 took home $4m.
Photo: Ashoka Business ReviewA collective bargaining agreement within US Soccer has shaken up the way prize money is distributed between both men’s and women’s squads. Now both teams will receive an equal share of the prize money, but how much of a difference will it make for the national teams?
The US Women’s team was crowned champions during the 2019 World Cup and took home $4m in prize money. Meanwhile, the men, who did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, have a guaranteed $9m for competing in Qatar, plus more if they make it out of the group stages.
Since 2011, the women’s tournament has seen an increase of $3m in the prize money awarded to the champions of the world, whereas for the men’s competition, the increase since 2012 is $8m.
NBA Finalists Golden State Warriors received over $3.5m for their championship win this year, whereas the 2022 WNBA Champions will receive just half a million for their efforts.
Winners Prize Money Awarded:
MEN | WOMEN | ||||
EVENT | SPORT | YEAR | AMOUNT ($) | YEAR | AMOUNT ($) |
FIFA World Cup | Football / Soccer | 2018 | $38,000,000 | 2019 | $4,000,000 |
UEFA Euros | Football / Soccer | 2020 | $10,037,690 | 2022 | $662,333 |
Wimbledon | Tennis | 2022 | $2,500,000 | 2022 | $2,500,000 |
US Open | Golf | 2021 | $2,500,000 | 2021 | $1,000,000 |
NBA/WNBA Finals | Basketball | 2022 | $3,541,896 | 2022 | $500,000 |
T20 World Cup | Cricket | 2021 | $1,600,000 | 2020 | $1,000,000 |
PSA World Championships | Squash | 2022 | $80,000 | 2022 | $80,000 |
While there is a difference between male and female athletes in golf, the difference is not as large as it is in the world of soccer. Golf has seen an increase in women’s sport, with the US Open in 2021 awarding the winner $1m, nearly $500,000 more than what the winner received in 2011. However, the men’s event has seen an extra $1m added to the event since 2011, with the 2021 winner taking home $2,500,000.
Racket sports see the most equality within prize money payouts, with recent Wimbledon singles champions Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina each taking home an astonishing $2,500,000 from the prestigious event.
Although a smaller amount, Squash also sees an equal payout at their world championships, with both winners receiving $80,000.
Featured Image: Ashoka Business Review
