‘Life isn’t fair’ is a phrase we all heard growing up, but life truly isn’t fair for female athletes. 

When I was younger, like many other young athletes, I dreamed of going pro. That dream ended when I realized no matter how good I could play, I would never be able to support a life of that career. Soccer has always been my favorite sport, so naturally, I grew up watching the US National Women’s Soccer Team. 

It was only later in life I realized that many of them made their money off of side hustles. 

This year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup had a total of $150 million in prize money compared to the last Men’s World Cup, which offered  $440 million according to ESPN. On top of this, the minimum Major League Soccer player salary is $65,000 in 2023 according to Rookie Road, while ESPN stated the minimum National Women’s Soccer League salary is $35,000. And the US is the most equally representing country for female and male athletes.

Not only are female athletes earning reflective of their inequality, but they are less watched and less supported. I don’t know anyone who sits on their couch during March and turns on a women’s NCAA basketball game when they can watch a men’s game. 

Recently I attended a Creighton and Minnesota women’s soccer game. As a fan of the BigEast conference, I went to look up their records but the first result that popped up was the men’s schedule, and even as I scrolled down I found the women’s record way at the bottom of the page.

But I really think the hardest part about being a female athlete is having to accept the idea that no matter how hard you try and work at your sport, there will always be a male who is faster and more athletic than you. People will always translate this as men are just better at athletics. 

Realistically, you could go on and on about gender inequality in sports. Men always get better practice schedules, fields, and even uniforms. For the longest time, women’s professional soccer played on turf fields which are bad for your health. 

Here at South, boys’ athletics have a better turnout by students while girls’ sports are not. A prime example is South’s basketball program. From experience, the boys’ games are always way more attended than the girls’ even though both have had winning seasons. 

Everyone can help with this worldwide issue. One way to start is by simply coming out to support South’s own girl’s teams. 

Change takes time, but I hope there will be a day when women’s sports are as equally appreciated as men’s.