The maximum annual salary for a WNBA player is $87,000. This is vastly different from the male counterparts in the NBA. However, this could be considered a gold mine when compared to how much a WPFL (Women's Professional Football League) athlete makes. More surprising than the fact that there is a women's league for football, is the fact that they make just a $100 per game. Even in NASCAR, the male winner made $100,000 more than the female winner. In almost every sport, the glass ceiling is in effect, as women consistently make less than their male counterparts.
Another example of how female athletes are cast aside is video game franchises. The biggest video games of the year always include popular sports franchises, such as NBA 2K (basketball), NHL (hockey), FIFA Sports (soccer), and Madden (American football). However, rarely is there a video game developed for female sports. However, this is understandable. Developing a game separately just for females is not only costly, but also shows that female sports are different and are not on the same level as men's sports. However, a reasonable solution would be to include women in the franchises, right? Wrong. In the latest edition of FIFA 12, there is no option to play as a female character. This is surprising, as FIFA aims to "represent women and equality". In fact, it is in option in NHL 2012 to create a female pro - so why don't female soccer athletes get the same amount of attention? This could be a profitable addition, as many females watch and play soccer, and enjoy video games.
Even in the official Olympics video game there are 15 men only games versus only ONE women only games. The fact is that creating a female character is no different in cost in comparison to creating a male character. So the reason for this cannot be economical. Not only are females cut out of the game, the only women only game is where they are dressed up in bikinis. This further exemplifies how women are only seen for their looks rather than their talent.
What all these facts and figures boil down to is viewership. If women's sports are not getting the attendance of recognition, they won't make the same amount of money as men. If their sports aren't popular, it cannot be justified for them to have their own video games, as creators have to pay large licencing fees in order to use the female athletes in their video games.It is up to the fans to attend and support the product. In order for the ball to start rolling for equality for women in sports, it is primarily dependent on the consumer. If they do not support the product, the athletes will continue making significantly less than their male counterparts, and will not receive the same type of media exposure. In order for franchises and video games to push women's sports, it must be perceived as economically viable. This is why viewership and recognition is crucial to the forward movement of women in sports.
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