Sports is a very popular topic in the world. Whether we watch it, or play it! There are so many sports around the world. Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Football…there are many varieties!! Too bad they don’t play it fair!
Women are now aloud to be a part of sports. They even have their own associations, like the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association). That’s a big jump for women. In the past, they weren’t allowed to do anything without permission! They were considered as ‘property’. Sure it’s a big jump, but not big enough!
One of the theories is that the society does not want to see the women be out of the ‘norm’ of what they are expected to be! Some of their expected traits are; highly feminine, passive, graceful and weak. None of which the term ‘athletic’ is included!
I’m proud of female athletes! They’re breaking down barriers that have always left women outside of the athletic world. The idea of a strong, fast, powerful woman leaves many feeling uncomfortable because it isn’t seen as an attractive or traditional characteristic.
Because of this, female athletes have trouble receiving equal pay when compared to men and getting sponsorship deals, making it difficult for them to stand out in the sports that they do!
According to the ‘Forbes Online’, the world’s highest paid woman female athlete is tennis player Maria Sharapova, who is, for the ninth straight year, on top with $175$ millions net worth in earnings from prize money, endorsements, and appearance fees between June 2012 and June 2013.
This seems like a hefty amount until you compare it with Tiger Woods, who is the world’s highest paid male athlete with $600 million net worth in earnings (including sponsorships, endorsements, etc.).
We watch a lot of basketball in our house! Preferably the Raptor’s games (GO RAPTORS), but the WNBA channel isn’t even on our TV! It doesn’t have enough sponsors! Same thing for female hockey! In fact, female hockey players don’t get paid for playing! Some of them even have to pay to play!
Do you watch tennis? If so, you may have heard of my idols! Venus and Serena Williams! Serena makes 130$ million dollars net worth and Venus makes a net worth of 75$ million dollars!
There is a few things we, as a community, could do to help these women!! You could attend a women’s sporting event (they’re usually free since they want more sponsors). You could support companies that advocate for women’s athletics, and you could encourage television stations and newspapers to cover women’s sports!
I find that women are doing great by showing the world there full capabilities. They are able to play sports just as good as men, so why does society not accept? I feel that female athletes should get equal pay to male athletes! I’m one voice of many. What’s your favourite sport? Are you thinking of choosing a sport as a career option? Do you think that in the future woman will have the opportunity to have equal pay? Please share your thoughts.
Justice Seeker
Venus Wambura