What is income of female football players? Salaries, national team pay & prize money

Women's football has experienced tremendous growth and popularity in recent years, sparking discussions about how much do womeen footballers get paid. While the sport has historically been dominated by men, women's football has emerged as a formidable force, captivating audiences around the world. As the sport continues to gain recognition, it becomes crucial to delve into the topic of how much women footballers are paid.

This discussion highlights the broader issue of gender pay disparities in sports and raises questions about the factors influencing average women's football salaries compared to their male counterparts. Understanding the dynamics of women's football wages is not only important for the athletes themselves but also for promoting gender equality in sports and fostering the continued growth of women's football as a professional endeavor. By examining the intricacies of average women footballers' salaries, we can gain insights into the progress made, the challenges faced, and the future prospects of equal pay in the realm of women's football.

Gender Pay Gap in Football

Why is there a wage gap between male and female football players?

Historical context

The gender pay gap has been a long-standing issue in various industries, and football is no exception. Historically, women's sports, including football, have received significantly less attention, resources, and investment compared to their male counterparts. This disparity in support has led to substantial discrepancies in average women's football salaries and hơ much men footbalers get paid . The gender pay gap in football can be attributed to a combination of factors, including societal norms, historical biases, and the structural differences between men's and women's football.

Traditionally, men's football has enjoyed greater popularity, larger audiences, and higher revenues, leading to more significant financial investments from sponsors, broadcasting rights, and ticket sales. These financial disparities have created a systemic imbalance that affects how much do female footballers get paid. The lack of resources and financial backing for women's football has resulted in lower wages, limited career opportunities, and less overall visibility for female players.

Gender Pay Gap in Football

Moreover, the historical context of gender disparities in sports has played a significant role in perpetuating the gender pay gap. Traditionally, sports have been viewed as a male-dominated domain, with limited opportunities for women to participate, let alone compete professionally. These deeply ingrained stereotypes and biases have influenced the perception of women's football as a less valuable and marketable product, contributing to the undervaluation of female footballers' skills and talents.

Another factors

Another crucial factor contributing to the gender pay gap in football is the disparity in media coverage and exposure. Men's football receives extensive media attention, with matches broadcasted globally, leading to increased visibility for male players. In contrast, women's football often struggles to secure substantial media coverage, resulting in fewer sponsorship and endorsement deals. This lack of exposure and commercial opportunities further exacerbates the wage gap between male and female footballers.

The organizational structure of football, including club budgets and financial investment, also influences women's salaries. Many clubs allocate a larger portion of their resources to men's teams, including transfer fees, wages, and facilities. This disparity in financial investment extends to women's football, where lower budgets restrict the ability to offer competitive salaries to female players. Consequently, female footballers face financial challenges and may need to seek alternative employment or take on additional commitments to sustain their careers.

Furthermore, national team contracts and incentives can contribute to the gender pay gap in football. National football associations often have separate agreements and compensation structures for their men's and women's teams. While national team players receive bonuses and appearance fees, the gap in compensation between men's and women's national teams can be substantial. This discrepancy in earnings reflects the larger gender pay gap within the football industry and highlights the need for equal treatment and remuneration for female athletes representing their countries.

Effort to improve the salary for women's football

In recent years, there have been efforts to address the gap between how much do women footballers get paid and the men footballers' salaries. FIFA, the governing body of world football, has made commitments to promote gender equality and address disparities in the sport. Initiatives such as the FIFA Women's World Cup and increased investments in women's football aim to bridge the gap and create more opportunities for female players. However, progress has been gradual, and significant challenges remain in achieving true pay parity between men's and women's football.

Effort to improve the salary for women's football

Understanding the background and complexities of the gender pay gap in football is crucial for developing strategies and policies to address the issue effectively. By acknowledging the historical biases, financial disparities, media representation, and organizational structures that contribute to the wage gap, stakeholders in the football industry can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for women footballers. It is vital to continue advocating for equal pay, raising awareness about the issue, and fostering the growth of women's football to ensure that female players are valued, supported, and compensated fairly for their contributions to the sport.

Factors Affecting Women Footballers' Salaries

Several factors influence the salaries of women footballers, contributing to the varying levels of compensation seen within the sport. These factors encompass a range of economic, structural, and societal aspects that shape the financial landscape of women's football.

Sponsorships, endorsement deals and TV broadcasting rights

Sponsorships and endorsement deals play a significant role in determining what do women footballers get paid. The level of visibility, popularity, and marketability of individual players can attract lucrative endorsement contracts, which supplement their base salaries. Similarly, TV broadcasting rights and viewership have a direct impact on the financial resources available to women's football. Higher viewership numbers translate into more significant revenues, allowing clubs and leagues to allocate more substantial funds to player salaries. 

Obtaining specific details about sponsorships is more challenging, as clubs usually negotiate bundled deals for both their men's and women's teams.

Sponsorships, endorsement deals and TV broadcasting rights have a great effect to female footballers' salary

However, it is evident that sponsors primarily invest in having their logos on men's team jerseys. In terms of television coverage, the Premier League generates an estimated £10 billion from various broadcasters, including substantial earnings from international sources. In contrast, the Women's Super League currently has a UK TV deal valued at just £8 million per year. These figures highlight the significant disparity, which is partly attributed to the relatively recent establishment of professional women's football. The Women's Super League in England was formed in 2011 and only became fully professional in 2018.

The success and popularity of the Lionesses should result in improved TV and sponsorship deals in the future. Regarding attendance at matches, the Football Association has set a target to achieve average attendances of 6,000 by 2024, a goal that appears feasible. An increase in the number of fans will lead to higher revenue, ultimately leading to higher player wages.

Prize money and tournament earnings

Additionally, prize money and tournament earnings are crucial factors. The availability of prize money in tournaments and the distribution mechanisms employed influence the financial rewards for women footballers, with higher prize pools offering the potential for increased average women's football salary. The financial investment in women's football by clubs is another determining factor. Clubs with higher budgets and a commitment to developing and supporting their women's teams can offer more competitive salaries to players.

Club budgets, financial investment and national team incentives

The financial investment in women's football by clubs is another determining factor. Clubs with higher budgets and a commitment to developing and supporting their women's teams can offer more competitive female footballers salary. National team contracts and incentives significantly affect the earnings of women footballers.

National football associations' policies regarding national team player compensation, bonuses, and performance incentives play a pivotal role in determining the financial remuneration of female players representing their countries. Consideration of these factors provides a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding how much do women's footballers get paid and highlights the need for equitable structures and support systems to ensure fair compensation for female athletes in the sport.

How much do female footballers get paid?

Average women's footballers salary from clubs

Average women's footballers salary annually vary significantly depending on the league they compete in and the club they represent, with many top-tier leagues now operating professionally. In England, the Women's Super League (WSL) stands as the highest-level league for women's football.

To answer for the questions that how much do England women's football players get paid, a report pointed out WSL players receive an average annual salary ranging from £25,000 to £27,000. Some players may earn less, around £20,000, while others may earn slightly more, around £30,000. It is worth mentioning that a few select players have the potential to earn higher salaries. For instance, Chelsea's Sam Kerr is often reported to have a yearly salary of approximately £400,000.

Average WLS women's footballers salary from clubs ranges from £25,000 to £27,000

Nevertheless, despite its status as the top league for women's football in England, the financial disparity between the WSL and the men's Premier League is substantial. In 2019, The Guardian reported that the average weekly pay for a Premier League player was around £61,000, amounting to over £3 million per year. It is important to note that many prominent players earn even more substantial salaries than the average figure mentioned.

Average women's footballers salary from national team

Female footballers often rely on their earnings from national teams as well.

Several countries, including England, Brazil, Australia, and Norway, have taken steps to pay their men's and women's teams equally. The Lionesses, England's women's national team, are reported to earn approximately £2,000 per match, although many of the England stars choose to donate their match fees to charity.

In February, the US Women's National Team reached a resolution in a six-year legal battle for equal pay. They agreed to a deal worth $24 million, along with bonuses, to match the terms of the men's team. The US Soccer Federation also committed to providing equal pay rates for both the women's and men's national teams. Additionally, they will establish a $2 million fund to support players in their post-playing careers and contribute to charitable efforts aimed at promoting the growth of women's football.

England female football players received a huge amount of money 

England female national football teams won EURO 2020 title. Many people are wondering how much do England women's footballers get paid after this excellent victory. Reports indicate that England's victory at the Euro tournament resulted in the players receiving the most substantial bonus in the history of the Football Association (FA). According to The Telegraph, the FA intended to award each player £55,000, totaling an impressive pay-out of £1.3 million. However, this amount is still considerably lower than what the men's team would have received had they won the 2020 tournament. The men's team, under Gareth Southgate's leadership, were initially expected to receive a bonus of £5 million.

Income outside football

Income outside football for female footballers can serve as a crucial supplement to their earnings from the sport. Many female footballers pursue additional avenues to generate income and diversify their financial resources. Endorsement deals and sponsorships play a significant role in this regard, as companies and brands recognize the value and influence of female footballers as role models and ambassadors. By partnering with various brands, female players can secure endorsement contracts and sponsorship deals that offer financial rewards beyond their salaries. Additionally, some female footballers explore opportunities in media and entertainment, including television appearances, modeling, and brand collaborations. Others leverage their expertise and passion for the sport by coaching, conducting football clinics, or participating in exhibition matches. These endeavors not only provide additional income but also contribute to the promotion and growth of women's football. Income outside football allows female players to enhance their financial stability, expand their personal brand, and contribute to the overall development of women's football.

Highest-paid women's footballers

While the salaries in women's football may not reach the same magnitude as those in men's football, there are still notable players in the women's game who earn substantial amounts of money.

1. Carli Lloyd (retired) - $518,000

2. Sam Kerr (Chelsea) - $500,000

3. Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave) - $450,000

4. Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign) - $447,000

5. Julie Ertz (Angel City FC) - $430,000

6. Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) - $425,000

7. Marta (Orlando Pride) - $400,000

8. Amandine Henry (Lyon) - $394,500

9. Wendie Renard (Lyon) - $392,000

10. Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns) - $380,000

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has been renowned for offering some of the most lucrative contracts in women's football globally. Carli Lloyd, playing for NY/NJ Gotham, holds the position of the highest-paid women's footballer in the world, reportedly earning an annual salary of £377,000. Her fellow US national team members, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, also enjoy substantial remuneration. Morgan earns £327,000 while playing for Orlando Pride, and Rapinoe receives a reported £325,000 as part of OL Reign.

Carli Lloyd

In Europe, Ada Hegerberg is the highest-paid women's footballer. Although she has been out of action due to an ACL injury since January 2020, the Lyon striker reportedly earns £343,000. Hegerberg's Lyon teammates also receive significant salaries, with Amandine Henry earning £308,000 per year and captain Wendie Renard earning £298,000. Paris St-Germain ensures that their top stars are well-compensated to compete with Lyon's offers. Kadidiatou Diani became one of the best-paid women's footballers after signing a new contract with PSG, resulting in her salary rising to £308,000.

Sam Kerr of Chelsea is believed to receive a substantial salary as well. While specific details of her contract vary, it is estimated to be between £300,000 and £365,000. If accurate, she would undoubtedly be one of the highest-paid players in the Women's Super League (WSL). Leading players in England are generally believed to earn around £200,000 per year.

Sam Kerr

The Chinese league has also been known for generously remunerating overseas players. When Brazilian forward Cristiane joined Changchun Zhouyue and Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala signed for Dalian Quanjian in 2017, they were considered among the highest-paid women's footballers globally, with reported salaries of around £580,000 per year. However, as both players are no longer in the Chinese league, it remains uncertain whether any current players there earn comparable amounts.

The discussion surrounding how much do women footballers get paid sheds light on the broader issue of gender pay disparities in sports. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain in achieving equal pay for female athletes in football. Factors such as historical biases, limited resources, disparities in media coverage, and structural differences have contributed to the gender pay gap in the sport. However, efforts are being made to address these disparities through initiatives, increased investment, and advocacy for equal treatment. It is essential to continue advocating for equal pay and promoting gender equality in sports to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women footballers. By valuing and compensating female players fairly, we can foster the continued growth and development of women's football, empowering women athletes and inspiring future generations to pursue their passion for the game. Achieving equal pay is not only a matter of fairness but also a significant step towards dismantling gender barriers and promoting equality in all aspects of society.

FAQs: How much do women footballers get paids?

• How much do WSL women footballers get paid?
  WSL players receive an average annual salary ranging from £25,000 to £27,000
• How much do England women's footballers get paid aftering winning EURO 2020 title?
  According to The Telegraph, the FA intended to award each player £55,000, totaling an impressive pay-out of £1.3 million
• Which female players have the highest salaries in 2023?
  Samantha Kerr [$525,000],  Alex Morgan [$450,000],  Megan Rapinoe [$447,000],  Julie Ertz [$430,000],  Ada Hegerberg [$425,000],  Marta Vieira [$400,000],  Amandine Henry [$394,500],  Wendie Renard [$392,000]