Goal looks into just how much player earnings differ from the top flight of UK football between the two genders
The Women's Super League (WSL) kicks off on September 8 with 11 teams following the revamping of the top flight.
The WSL has expanded from 10 teams to include a new applicant from the former Women's Premier League, with the new place awarded to West Ham United Ladies.
The popularity of women's football has increased and more teams forming from grassroots up have allowed for multi-tiered divisions more similar to UK men's football.
But how much to women players get paid in the top-flights of women's football compared to the opposite sex?
How much do female footballers get paid in the WSL?
Nearly all WSL players earns less than £35,000 a year. Depending on club and player quality the average figure is often under £27,000 from club wages alone.
It's reported that Manchester City and England Women's national team captain Steph Houghton earns £65,000 a week before tax.
While most of the WSL is now made up of full-time squad members such as those playing for Manchester City Women and Chelsea Ladies. Before the restructure, the majority of teams operated on a semi-pro level, with some players only receiving £5,000-£10,000 a year.
Do England Women players earn money for playing for the national team?
Due to a central contract agreement with by the FA, 30 players are awarded £25,000 a year for playing for England's women national team.
This is in addition to wages from their clubs or any sponsorship deals they may have. The payments can rise to £30,000 from appearances, with the amount given to each player being increased year after year to reflect experience.
How do female footballer’s wages compare to male players?
Looking at the top flight of both the women's league and the men's in English football, the top earners in the WSL earn far less than even the very lowest in the Premier League.
Some Premier League players earning more in one day than most WSL players earn in a year.
The Premier League's top earner is reported to be Manchester United's Alexis Sanchez, who earns £600,000-a-week after tax. This equates to an eye-watering £1 a second.
Other top earners in the Premier League include Mesut Ozil, who earns £28,571 a day - far more than the average WSL player earns in a year at just under £27,000.
While England captain Harry Kane earns £200,000 a week for Tottenham, Steph Houghton reportedly earns £1,250 a week on club wages alone.
Constantinetino
0
No it's. OT absolute madness as u claim. it's quite simple. how much does the women football league bring in revenue. They are supposed to be paid by what Deir league generates and not some charity pay. This is d UK, if Dis women are being underpaid, we should know dere would v been some kinda lawsuit or something.
Emmmh yea u are right though but is still unfair nahh ehh
Mombasanian
0
women should just stay at home and wait for their husbands
Ahrenst
0
People with an average knowledge in economy gets to talk in this situation ... everyone else just stay quiet! Long story short - there are no money in women football compared to men football, so do you really expect a player to be paid 200000£ a week, when the club doesn't even earn that in a month ?
there is *
Ahrenst
40
People with an average knowledge in economy gets to talk in this situation ... everyone else just stay quiet! Long story short - there are no money in women football compared to men football, so do you really expect a player to be paid 200000£ a week, when the club doesn't even earn that in a month ?
Thabo001
111
People who understand cash flow issues and marketing wouldn't complain. First you need sponsors and fans to generate enough income in order to pay stable wages
juanfrias
0
Okay now the Af is getting carried away with this sexist thing [Sadtolook][Sadtolook]
Right?! I understand that it's crazy how much of a difference it is money wise for women, but tbh, a majority of the fans watch men's soccer, not women's, that's not me battering women's soccer, it's just facts, men bring in a much larger fan base than women's, if the amount of people that went to Men's soccer games would go to women's also, they would have equal the amount of stuff and pay as men's soccer, depending on how well they do.
Caeser19
0
This absolute madness,so sad ,at least the women should earn an average of what da men are earning Massa,weeeeh
No it's. OT absolute madness as u claim. it's quite simple. how much does the women football league bring in revenue. They are supposed to be paid by what Deir league generates and not some charity pay. This is d UK, if Dis women are being underpaid, we should know dere would v been some kinda lawsuit or something.
Constantinetino
1
This absolute madness,so sad ,at least the women should earn an average of what da men are earning Massa,weeeeh
djdrinkwater
1
so sad
whitebeard086
1
where do they want the money to come from? If they want more then they should simply earn it, no one is going to magically conjure money from thin air and give them pay rise
Barcinho
2
well it's a very simple concept, if you bring in more money I'll give you more money... For now it's just not entertaining for viewers how many of you watch the women's UCL vs the men's UCL? Voila...
Sosst
0
This is crazy
Sohaib786
1
Okay now the Af is getting carried away with this sexist thing [Sadtolook][Sadtolook]
Cueilz
0
Revenue is based upon merchandise and viewership, which is based on us men being interested, which is unlikely to happen.
that's it....
tahjSR4
0
I happen to think they play pretty well. I like watching Women's World Cup. I don't think you are being objective or fair.
I'm just stating facts , international is different but go R clubs do you even watch how they play ? I recommend you watch some club matches and see how horrible the quality of there games can be
angles
1
women need to start to support each other, that's why the WSL is not a success
Nahbimt
0
instead of comparing maybe they should have started their league in the 1800's.u dont know how much mens football has suffered to get to this point.i mean men are just better at sports than women when put together.whether u are a feminist or not u cant ignore the fact that bolt runs 9.58 while the fastest woman has probably never touched 9 seconds.am pretty sure the best female javlin thrower cant compete in the mens league or she will just come out last.so its these things that hinder the development of their sport really and not us the men.mens football has been around since the 1800's yet racism is still rampant in italy,match fixing.so in laymans terms the women still have to deal with those facts and at the same time mens football continues to grow.so until we men reach our terminal velocity.its sad to say that female sports might never catch up.and also guys show little to bo interest
They couldn't have started a league of their own in the 1800s. They couldn't even vote in the US until the 1920s. Only until fairly recently have they being able to get started with their own divisions in sports. Come on, I know you are trying to make a point, but you know damn well the Miss Universe pageant isn't about skill is about women parading in swim suits in front of cameras and judged on appearance.
Nahbimt
0
if they earn the pay they will get the pay...for now....no way ..how much do they generate to the FA as revenue...?...
Revenue is based upon merchandise and viewership, which is based on us men being interested, which is unlikely to happen.
Nahbimt
0
Since they can't compare Ronaldo and Messi now, these idiots hv started comparing the sex. How many of u hv even watched a women's only football match? Just give me a f****ing name at least. B**** please
Women's World Cup is pretty popular in the U.S at least.
Nahbimt
0
they play well but their money is just half the men's own. their money should not be compared to men's because the men's football is a different world
In terms of revenue yes. So there should be marketing strategies tailored to raise awareness and income revenue of women's leagues. Sadly Idk if this would work. It comes down to how likely us men are to support in terms of viewership and merchandise purchasing, which I don't think it's likely.
Cueilz
2
if they earn the pay they will get the pay...for now....no way ..how much do they generate to the FA as revenue...?...
Nahbimt
0
guys we all know how slappy and poor quality women's football have so it's not entertaining to most people so the day when they start to get on the same level as men they can get more pay , it's business not charity 😉
I happen to think they play pretty well. I like watching Women's World Cup. I don't think you are being objective or fair.
Nahbimt
1
it's already on FIFA 18 guy
Yeah but international not leagues
Nahbimt
0
Sad
ManCity19
2
I can compared the tits swings
bl3u
4
Since they can't compare Ronaldo and Messi now, these idiots hv started comparing the sex. How many of u hv even watched a women's only football match? Just give me a f****ing name at least. B**** please
eltorogillz
4
instead of comparing maybe they should have started their league in the 1800's.u dont know how much mens football has suffered to get to this point.i mean men are just better at sports than women when put together.whether u are a feminist or not u cant ignore the fact that bolt runs 9.58 while the fastest woman has probably never touched 9 seconds.am pretty sure the best female javlin thrower cant compete in the mens league or she will just come out last.so its these things that hinder the development of their sport really and not us the men.mens football has been around since the 1800's yet racism is still rampant in italy,match fixing.so in laymans terms the women still have to deal with those facts and at the same time mens football continues to grow.so until we men reach our terminal velocity.its sad to say that female sports might never catch up.and also guys show little to bo interest
Yazaelnort
0
Sometimes let things be as it is. Don't always try to disturb the nature. Men's football cannot be compared to women's football. Likewise, men can never beat (I think ) Miss World & Miss Universe popularity with Mr. World or Miss Universe. Let us appreciate each talent and accept it as it is. It's doesn't mean women's football gonna be not popular or they don't deserve higher salary but comparing everything with men is just ridiculous. ✌ 😉
*Mr. Universe
Yazaelnort
3
Sometimes let things be as it is. Don't always try to disturb the nature. Men's football cannot be compared to women's football. Likewise, men can never beat (I think ) Miss World & Miss Universe popularity with Mr. World or Miss Universe. Let us appreciate each talent and accept it as it is. It's doesn't mean women's football gonna be not popular or they don't deserve higher salary but comparing everything with men is just ridiculous. ✌ 😉
fazainopsu
0
not even women shows interest in their game
Shadevil
0
this is because less people watch women's sports and less income is generated. women still get the same percentage wage out of the overall league income as men, but unfortunately there is just not enough money to go around and to give the women same wages as men
Exactly Many people don't understand it and demand equal wages
pakadinot
2
no need to compare
Lovestare
1
they play well but their money is just half the men's own. their money should not be compared to men's because the men's football is a different world
sunnysayus
3
Female soccer is at a low level all over the world.The football governing body should encourage soccer among women and ensure that it gets its publicity and improved financial status.
ashley_ashee_banda
0
it's already on FIFA 18 guy
didn't know, that's great
tahjSR4
0
we now need to play Fifa on PlayStations featuring these women
it's already on FIFA 18 guy
tahjSR4
2
guys we all know how slappy and poor quality women's football have so it's not entertaining to most people so the day when they start to get on the same level as men they can get more pay , it's business not charity 😉
OscarANunez
1
I am not a fan of Women's football, and I never really liked it when women exaggerated for equal rights, but in the case of football I think it's crazy how most women only earn about 27,000$ the year. That's too low considering 3rd tier league players usually earn the same amount. that is an insult to women!!
ashley_ashee_banda
0
we now need to play Fifa on PlayStations featuring these women
Udeh Nzube
1
premeir league need to hype this women's league its going to be good for business. just check how NBA hyped their women's leagee.
Deufms⚽️⚽️
40
this is because less people watch women's sports and less income is generated. women still get the same percentage wage out of the overall league income as men, but unfortunately there is just not enough money to go around and to give the women same wages as men