Equal pay for equal sports is a good idea. However it does not work if both genders have equal chances in the sport. For centuries, men have dominated tennis. The women in basketball and tennis have had different opportunities over the years. A 60-meter race is another area in which women have not been given the same opportunities. Two reasons are responsible: scheduling and biology.
Women's national soccer team fights to equal pay
A lawsuit brought in by the United States women’s national soccer team was dismissed. This was due to the USSF's assertion that it does not discriminate. USSF claimed that women were more likely than men to play and should therefore be entitled to the same pay. However, the women’s national team refuted this argument, arguing they weren't entitled to the same compensation that was offered to the men's.
The women's team of national soccer has been vocal in their advocacy for equal pay. Fans of the team chant "equal" at every professional soccer game. Additionally, the team has testified before House Oversight Committee pointing out how long it takes for women to earn equal wages as men.
An analysis of the USWNT fight to equality
In a case study analysis of the USWNT fight for equal pay, the players' experiences are examined. The USWNT has a long tradition of being underpaid and undervalued in sport. The USWNT lawsuit seeks to remedy this inequality, both on and off the field. The players' experiences also highlight the need for increased legislation in order to close the gender pay gap.
The USWNT began its fight for equal pay with a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation. The players wanted equal pay for the same play. This campaign has been ongoing ever since 2015. The players also sought corporate sponsorships to help their cause. The USWNT attracted international attention and has received support from the public before and after the World Cup.
Due to the lawsuit, the USWNT made significant progress in defending equality in football. Megan Rapinoe (captain), Carli Lloyd (captain), and Alex Morgan have all spoken out on this matter. They have also publicly spoken out about the importance equal pay for sports.
California bill requires equal prize pools for competitions that take place on public lands.
California's legislature recently passed a bill that will require equal prize pool allocations for sports competitions on state and municipal lands. Assemblymember Tasha Borner Horvath was the one who drafted the new law. Her concern about the gender pay gap within sports led to this bill. She stated that competition arenas were athletes' workplaces, and that prize money should be equally distributed for both men and women.
The bill passed unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September. This law applies only to competitions on California state lands. It does not apply to private events. You can think of professional surfing competitions held on state beaches, or racing on state roads for cyclists. For such events, applicants will still require a permit.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions that allow for expanded gambling on tribal lands. The legislation, if passed, would allow horse racing tracks and casinos to accept legal sports betting. This would allow Californians more opportunities to place bets on these events and keep the state's gambling laws in line.