How Unequal Pay And Unpredictable Earnings Cause Stress For Women In Sports

There is no doubt that women’s sports are on the rise, as there have been increased fan engagement, more broadcasts, and global attention on stars like Caitlin Clark. Despite the growing fanbase, there is a harsh reality: unequal pay, unpredictable earnings, and different treatment from the men’s team counterparts have put a significant amount of stress on female athletes. This additional mental burden impacts not only their own emotional well-being and mental health, but also their career longevity.

A recent survey repot by Parity, a platform dedicated to closing the income and opportunity gap in professional sports, highlights the mental toll that these inequities cause for female athletes. There needs to be systemic change across all sporting leagues to bridge the gap between the different levels of treatment.

The Financial Strain on Female Athletes

Parity’s study surveyed 500 professional female athletes and found that 78% earned $50,000 or less from their sport in 2023, with 58% earning $25,000 or less. For many of them, this income does not even cover the costs associated with competing at a professional level—travel, training, equipment, etc. Over half of the female athletes that took the survey identified that their out-of-pocket expenses exceeded their actual earnings, resulting in financial strain.

Not only is the salary often much lower than their male athlete counterparts, but female athletes also experience more inconsistency in their income as well as more unpredictable sponsorships. According to the survey, over 40% of female athletes described their earning as inconsistent, with many requiring second jobs to meet the demands of their monthly bills.

Brittni Mason, a five-time Paralympic medalist and world record holder, shared “Even with my accolades, I’ve had to rely on sponsors or side jobs to survive and train. The disparities in sponsorships, prize money, and funding for women’s sports are glaring. It’s something I’m passionate about addressing to ensure future generations face fewer barriers.”

The Ripple Effect on Mental Health

There is a ripple effect caused by the inequity in pay. According to Parity’s findings, 93% of respondents reported feeling stressed about their finances with 64% indicated that they were “very stressed” or “extremely stressed.” This has led to continued anxiety, resulting in almost two-thirds considering retirement from their sport due to financial pressures study also revealed that 63% of female athletes work while their sports are in season, requiring them to balance the demands of their jobs and athletic training with their home lives.

Alex Morgan, 2x World Cup Champion and Gold Medalist, highlights some of the inequities as well as the additional responsibilities of female athletes. “We’re juggling a lot more with a lot less pay. The pressure to do more because of unequal salaries means stressing ourselves thin,” said Morgan. She also notes that female athletes are faced with additional challenges, compared to male athletes, such as family-planning. Morgan’s experience highlights a broader issue: the lack of institutional support tailored to the unique needs of women athletes. From maternity leave to mental health resources, the gaps in infrastructure exacerbate the challenges they face.

We must also consider the silent messaging that female athletes receive from their own leagues and teams. I have witnessed this first hand in the NBA and WNBA environments. In 2024, the minimum salary in the WNBA was just over $64,000 while the minimum salary in the NBA was just over $1 million. The reimbursement for medical and mental health services can be up to 50% lower for the WNBA side compared to the NBA side. This is astounding, as it’s the exact same service but provided in two different environments.

For female athletes, feeling valued by their teams and leagues is an uphill battle when their male counterparts in the same sport and league are flying private and staying in luxury hotels, while they contend with commercial flights and budget accommodations. This can lead to downstream effects on their emotional well-being and overall mental health.

The Role of Sponsors and Leagues

Both Morgan and Mason emphasized the importance role that sponsors and professional leagues can play in addressing these inequities. Morgan identified solutions like providing maternity leave, access to low-cost fertility clinics, and on-site mental health professionals. “Having a mental health professional or well-being coach on-site would make a huge different—It’s about creating a 360-degree support system for female athletes.” Parity’s study supported this claim, as it identified that a $20,000 annual sponsorship, for instance, would be seen as “very meaningful” or “life-changing” by 88% of respondents.

A Call For Structural Change

Many female athletes face a daily struggle to perform at a high level in their sport while navigating an industry that often undervalues their contributions compared to their male counterparts. This sentiment is echoed by Mason who stated, “Structural changes are essential to create stability and confidence for female athletes, both during their careers and after retirement—We need programs for skill development, mental health, career planning, and mentorship.”

Parity CEO, Leela Srinivasan, added that the keys are increased accessibility and visibility: “We’re seeing some of the bigger media rights packages that have come through for the WNBA and NWSL where part of the path to victory is getting women’s sports to be more available and consumable.” In order to achieve equity in women’s sport, there needs to be systemic change to ensure the sustainability and success of women’s sports for future generations.