Gender Pay Gap in Women's Sports
Gender Pay Gap in Women's Sports
Submitted by:
Sourabh [2K21/BBA/146]
Siddhant [2K21/BBA/144]
Pratham [2K21/BBA/107]
Nishant [2K21/BBA/98]
Signature of Mentor
Dr Kusum Lata
Date:
Place: Delhi
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DECLARATION
This project has not been submitted to any other institution for the
award of a diploma, the under-mentioned, solemnly declare that this
We, Project Report on "Gender Pay Gap in Sports: Analyzing the
Disparity in Women's Sports and Its Impact on Athletes'
Professionalism" is our original work. We further declare that we have
strictly observed reporting ethics and duly discharged copy-right
obligation and properly referred all outsourcing of materials used in
this report and nothing is confidential in this report in respect of the
company of our research. We take the responsibility for all legal and
ethical requirements regarding this report.
Sourabh [2K21/BBA/146]
Siddhant [2K21/BBA/144]
Pratham [2K21/BBA/107]
Nishant [2K21/BBA/98]
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
With immense pleasure, we would like to present this project report. It
has been an amazing experience for us to complete our research on the
topic “Gender Pay Gap in Sports: Analyzing the Disparity in
Women's Sports and Its Impact on Athletes' Professionalism”
Therefore, we are grateful for the opportunity. As the students of Delhi
Technological University, we would like to express my sincere thanks
to all those who helped us during the research. Words are insufficient
to express my gratitude towards Dr. Kusum Lata for her support and
guidance.
Sourabh [2K21/BBA/146]
Siddhant [2K21/BBA/144]
Pratham [2K21/BBA/107]
Nishant [2K21/BBA/98]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
[Link] Topic Page
No.
1 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES 6
2 ABSTRACT 7
7 REFERENCE 34-35
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LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
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ABSTRACT
Gender discrimination and the gender pay gap have been longstanding
issues in women's sports. Historically, women's sports have been
undervalued and underfunded compared to men's sports, which has
contributed to disparities in pay, media coverage, and sponsorship
opportunities.
Furthermore, there has been a long-standing debate about whether female
athletes should receive equal pay as their male counterparts. Some argue
that since women's sports have historically received less investment and
sponsorship, it is not fair to compare the pay of male and female athletes.
Others argue that regardless of the investment in women's sports, female
athletes deserve equal pay for the same level of performance and dedication
as male athletes. This research focuses on analyzing the gender pay gap and
disparity in women's sports. The research findings suggest that there is a
significant difference in pay and opportunities between male and female
athletes. The study indicates that the gender pay gap in women's sports is
prevalent across various sports and that female athletes are being paid
significantly less than their male counterparts. Additionally, the research
indicates that this gender pay gap is due to a variety of factors, including
differences in media coverage, sponsorship, and investment.
Furthermore, the study suggests that the gender pay gap in women's sports
can be addressed by increasing media coverage, investing more in women's
sports, and providing equal opportunities for women in sports. This research
highlights the importance of raising awareness about the gender pay gap in
women's sports and developing strategies to address the issue. Overall, the
study contributes to the growing body of research on gender pay gap and
disparity in women's sports and provides valuable insights for policymakers,
sports organizations, and stakeholders interested in promoting gender
equality in sports.
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CHAPTER 1
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INTRODUCTION
[1.1] A Comprehensive Look at the Evolution of Women's Sports
Here we are providing a comprehensive examination of the evolution of
women’s sports tracing its historical development and a short look into the
factors contributing to this gender disparity.
The history of women's sports is a long and challenging one, marked by
social and cultural barriers that have restricted opportunities for female
athletes. Women's sports have often been overshadowed by men's sports,
with fewer resources, less media coverage, and lower salaries. However,
women have continued to push for greater recognition and equality, and
their efforts have led to significant progress in recent decades.
The earliest known recorded women's sporting event took place in ancient
Greece during the Heraean Games, a festival held in honor of the goddess
Hera. However, throughout most of history, women were not allowed to
participate in sports or physical activities, as these were considered to be a
male domain. It was not until the late 19th century that women's sports
began to gain some recognition, with the establishment of women's
basketball teams and the inclusion of women's events in the modern
Olympic Games. Despite this progress, women's sports faced significant
challenges in the early 20th century. Many sports organizations and
governing bodies continued to exclude women from participation, and
female athletes were often subjected to discrimination, ridicule, and
hostility.
Since then, women's sports have continued to grow and evolve, with more
opportunities for female athletes to compete at the amateur, collegiate, and
professional levels. Women's soccer, basketball, volleyball, and softball
have gained widespread popularity and recognition, with some athletes
achieving celebrity status and multimillion-dollar endorsement deals.
However, despite these achievements, gender inequality and the gender pay
gap remain persistent issues in women's sports. Male athletes often earn
significantly more than their female counterparts, despite playing the same
sport and achieving similar levels of success. This disparity can be attributed
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to a range of factors, including differences in media coverage, sponsorships,
and endorsements, as well as institutional biases and discrimination.
[1.2] Evolution of Women’s Sports in India.
Here we are discussing about the evolution of women sports in India also
looking into some famous achievements which resulted in gaining
recognition.
Women's sports in India have come a long way from being seen as a taboo
to now being celebrated and promoted at a national level. The history of
women's sports in India dates back to ancient times where women were
involved in various forms of physical activities such as wrestling, archery,
and javelin throwing. However, during the colonial era, women's sports
were suppressed and deemed unsuitable for the female gender. It was only
after India gained independence in 1947 that women's sports started to gain
momentum. The first Indian women's sports team was formed in 1951,
which participated in the Asian Games in New Delhi. However, it wasn't
until the 1970s that women's sports began to gain recognition and support
from the government and sports bodies. The 1980s saw a significant boost
in women's sports in India, with the introduction of national level
tournaments and championships. The establishment of the Women's Cricket
Association of India in 1973 paved the way for the development of women's
cricket in the country. The Indian women's cricket team made their
international debut in 1978 and has since then gone on to achieve numerous
accolades, including reaching the finals of the 2017 Women's Cricket World
Cup.
Women's tennis in India also gained prominence during the 1980s with the
emergence of players like Nirupama Vaidyanathan and Sania Mirza, who
became the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam title in 2015. Other
sports like badminton, hockey, and athletics have also seen significant
progress and development in recent years. The government of India has also
taken various initiatives to promote women's sports in the country. The
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has introduced various schemes and
programs to provide financial assistance and infrastructure support to
female athletes. The "Khelo India" program launched in 2018 aims to
identify and nurture young talent in sports and provide them with the
necessary resources to achieve success at the international level.
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In conclusion, the progress and development of women's sports in India
have come a long way from being ignored and sidelined to now being
celebrated and promoted. However, there is still a long way to go in terms
of achieving gender parity and providing equal opportunities and resources
to female athletes in the country.
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[1.3] Objectives of the study
Following are the objectives of this study.
To quantify and analyse the extent of gender disparity and the pay gap
in sports: This objective involves collecting and analysing data to
determine the magnitude of the gender disparities and pay gaps across
different sports disciplines, levels of competition, and geographical regions.
To identify the factors contributing to gender disparity and the pay gap
in sports: This objective focuses on understanding the underlying causes of
gender disparity and pay gaps in sports. It involves examining factors such
as sponsorship opportunities, media coverage, public perception,
organizational policies, and societal norms that may contribute to the
observed disparities.
To examine the role of governing bodies and sports organizations in
addressing gender disparity and the pay gap: This objective focuses on
evaluating the efforts, policies, and initiatives taken by governing bodies,
sports organizations, and other stakeholders to reduce gender disparities and
address pay gaps in sports. It may involve analysing policies, initiatives, and
interventions aimed at promoting gender equality and equitable
compensation.
To propose recommendations and strategies for reducing gender
disparity and the pay gap in sports: Based on the findings of the study,
this objective involves formulating actionable recommendations and
strategies to mitigate gender disparities and address the pay gap in sports.
These recommendations may include policy changes, awareness campaigns,
educational programs, and other measures aimed at fostering a more
equitable sports environment.
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CHAPTER 2
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Here we are giving an overview of existing research on
gender disparity and pay gaps to establish a foundation for
this study.
The research paper "The Future of Equal Pay in Sports" by Suman Dash
Bhattamishra and Rangin Pallav Tripathy explores the issue of gender pay
gap in sports and the ways to address it. The paper presents a comprehensive
literature review of the existing research on the topic, highlighting the
historical and structural barriers that have led to the current disparity
between men's and women's sports, as well as the potential solutions to
overcome them.
The authors begin by tracing the history of women's sports, noting that they
have long been marginalized and neglected compared to men's sports. This
historical neglect has resulted in a lack of resources, sponsorship, and media
coverage for women's sports, which in turn has limited their visibility and
audience. As a result, women athletes are paid significantly less than their
male counterparts, despite performing at the same level of skill and
professionalism.
To address this issue, the authors argue that there needs to be a systematic
effort to redress the historical neglect of women's sports. They suggest that
governing bodies in different sports need to provide women's games with
the best possible opportunities to actualize their potential. The structural
barriers to their growth should be removed, and women's sports need to be
nurtured and allowed to grow on their own merits and terms so that it can
operate as an independent, self-sustaining model.
The paper also discusses the potential solutions to close the gender pay gap
in sports. One such solution is revenue sharing, where the total revenue
generated by a sport is divided between male and female athletes. However,
the authors note that revenue sharing alone is not enough and that a
comprehensive approach is needed. This includes providing equal access to
training facilities, equipment, coaching, and medical support, as well as
equal pay for equal work.
The paper also provides an overview of the fundamental elements of any
legal claim for equal pay across a variety of jurisdictions and then presents
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the challenges involved in complying with some of the elements in the area
of sports. The study of challenges focuses primarily on the difficulties in
proving the elements of 'equal work' and 'unequal pay'. While discussion on
the former is supported by rules on playing conditions in different sports,
the case of Morgan v. U.S. Soccer Federation Inc. forms the core around
which the difficulties of proving 'unequal pay' has been analysed.
The authors also highlight the importance of collective action and sustained
generation of public opinion to achieve gender equality in sports. They
argue that a political process based on laying out well-defined policies and
clear legislation would be a better method of accomplishing the goal of
equal pay for both genders in sports and securing it for future generations.
This would make such rights more durable and unquestionable for women.
In the final phase of the argument, the authors put forth the need to look
beyond the law to solve the gender pay gap by highlighting the limitations
of the legal system in sustaining enduring change. Political solutions, they
argue, will provide a more enduring transformation in the economic climate
of women's sports.
In addition to discussing potential solutions, the paper also presents
empirical evidence on the gender pay gap in sports. The authors cite several
studies that show a significant disparity in pay between male and female
athletes across different sports, including tennis, soccer, and basketball. The
authors also note that female athletes face additional challenges such as
pregnancy discrimination, limited sponsorship opportunities, and sexual
harassment.
Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on
gender pay gap in sports and the potential solutions to address it. The authors
argue that a comprehensive approach is needed, which includes removing
structural barriers, providing equal access to resources and opportunities,
revenue sharing, and sustained political action. By addressing these issues,
the authors believe that gender equality in sports can be achieved, ensuring
that women athletes are paid equally for their skills and contributions to the
sports industry.
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[2.1] Gender Equality: Progress and Historical Developments.
Gender equality in sports has made significant progress in recent years, with
more opportunities for women to participate and excel. However, the
historical development of gender equality in sports has been a long and
difficult journey, marked by discrimination, exclusion, and stereotypes.
Despite these challenges, female athletes have broken barriers and paved
the way for future generations.
Here is a timeline of historical events in sports with respect to equality for
women athletes:
1972 - Title IX is enacted in the United States, requiring schools that receive
federal funding to provide equal opportunities for both male and female
athletes.
1984 - The Los Angeles Olympic Games become the first to award equal
medals to male and female athletes in all events.
1986 - The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) announces that it
will offer equal prize money for male and female surfers in all events.
1996 - The Olympic Games in Atlanta become the first to award equal prize
money to male and female medalists.
2007 - The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announces that it will
provide equal prize money to female players at all of its events, including
Grand Slam tournaments.
2012 - The London Olympic Games continue to award equal prize money
to male and female medalists.
2015 - The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team files a lawsuit against the
U.S. Soccer Federation alleging gender discrimination and unequal pay.
2016 - The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team wins the Olympic gold
medal, but continues to fight for equal pay.
2017 - The Australian Football League announces that it will provide equal
pay to its male and female players.
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2019 - The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team wins their fourth World
Cup and renews their fight for equal pay.
2019 - The French Open becomes the last of the four Grand Slam
tournaments to award equal prize money to male and female players.
2020 - The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team reaches a settlement with
the U.S. Soccer Federation over their lawsuit for gender discrimination and
unequal pay. The settlement includes provisions for equal pay and working
conditions for both the men's and women's national team.
2021 - The Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA)
and the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) announce a historic
partnership to advance women's professional hockey and ensure equitable
support and pay for female players.
2021 - The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) announces
a new collective bargaining agreement that includes significant increases in
player salaries, benefits, and maternity leave, bringing them closer to equal
pay with their male counterparts in the NBA.
2021 - The Australian Open becomes the first Grand Slam tournament to
offer equal prize money for men and women in all events, including singles,
doubles, and mixed doubles.
2022 - The Professional Women's Soccer League (PWSL) is launched in the
United States, with a commitment to providing equal pay and opportunities
for female players.
2022 - In a landmark development, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced
equal pay for men and women cricketers. The five-year deal will see the
men and women cricketers of New Zealand, including international and
domestic players, receive the same pay for the same work across formats
and competitions.
2022 - In a historic announcement, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced that
the cricket governing body in India has agreed to pay equal match fee to
both men's and women's cricket teams centrally contracted players.
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[2.2]US Women's National Soccer Team's Fight for Gender Pay
Equity
The U.S. women's national soccer team has been embroiled in a legal battle
over pay discrimination since March 2019. The team, which has won four
World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals, filed a lawsuit against the
U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) alleging that they were paid less than the
men's national team despite performing at a higher level and generating
more revenue.
The lawsuit cited statistics that showed the women's team earned $2 million
for winning the 2015 World Cup, while the men's team earned $8 million
for being knocked out in the round of 16 in the 2014 World Cup. The
women's team also claimed that they earned less in bonuses, appearance
fees, and per diems, and that they were forced to play on inferior surfaces
and endure less favorable travel accommodations than the men's team.
In May 2020, the U.S. District Judge dismissed the unequal pay portion of
the U.S. women's national soccer team lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer
Federation, while allowing the claims of discriminatory work conditions to
proceed. Following this, the players appealed Klausner's dismissal of their
equal pay complaints, and oral arguments began in early 2022. In February
2022, the U.S. Women's National Team filed an Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission complaint, and the U.S. Soccer Federation agreed
to a $24 million settlement that includes equal pay for both male and female
soccer players for friendlies, tournaments, and even the World Cup. This
means that the USWNT will receive a share of the prize money from the
2022 FIFA World Cup games. The landmark $24 million settlement with
the U.S. Soccer Federation marks a significant victory for the team and sets
an important precedent for gender equity in sports.
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CHAPTER 3
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
We conducted a quantitative study based the information we gathered
by doing a survey. The information we collected was evaluated using
proper statistical approaches in order to explore issue persisting with
gender pay gap. The research data is gathered using a well-structured
questionnaire. The collection of data is done through a survey and
related websites. The sample size for this research is 45 respondents.
SOURCE OF DATA
Research Type Descriptive Research: The primary data was investigated and
analyzed according to the study's requirements, so descriptive
research was carried out.
Data Analysis tools & Tabulation, Bar Chart, and Pie Chart are the data analysis tools
Methods employed in this study.
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[3.1] Data Analysis and Interpretation
Interpretation of Questionnaire
The sample size is of 45 respondents, with 73.3% of males and 22.2% females.
4.4% people preferred not to reveal their gender.
Interpretations: 86.9% [39] believes there been a huge development with respect
to viewership in last 2 decades. Among them 46.7% believes there been high
growth. These reflects that in last 14 years there been a significant growth in
women’s sport. This is due to improved exposure and media coverage.
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Interpretations: Of the respondents 24.4% [11] believe that female athletes are
paid less compared to male athletes for equivalent level of performance. 57.8%
[26] believes there been instances where female athletes were paid less. So, this
leads to the disparity prevailing in Sports. On most occasions female athletes are
underpaid.
Interpretations: Of the respondents, 82.2% [37] are of the opinions that it’s
essential female athletes should receive equal pay as their male counterparts. This
would be providing a security for athletes and mitigate the risk of choosing sports
as a career profession.
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Interpretations: Of the respondents the most popular opinion [64.4%] why
gender pay gap exist in Sports is due the ‘difference in popularity and revenue
generated’. Other opinion such as ‘Gender Discrimination, Difference in skill
level, Biological difference also were believed to be the reason contributing to
this. Work should be more concentrated on how popularity and revenue could be
increased.
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Interpretations: As per the respondents, majority believe that the key role of
government should be in increasing funds for women’s sports program.
Respondents also believed government can also take steps like providing
incentives to organizations working on gender equality, mandate equal p ay for
male and female. But the standout opinion was to increasing funding.
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[3.2] Chi-Square Test
Question: Compared to previous decades (till 2009) do you believe that
there has been a growth since then (2010- present) with respect to the
viewership, fan following in Women Sport(s)?
Hypothesis:
Based on the responses received, the hypothesis formed are:
Null hypothesis (H0): There has been a significant difference in the growth
of viewership and fan following in Women's sports between the two time
periods (till 2009 and 2010-present).
Alternative hypothesis (HA): There is no significant difference in the
growth of viewership and fan following in Women's sports between the two
time periods (till 2009 and 2010-present).
The responses received from the 10 females and 33 males suggest that there
might be a difference in the perceived growth of viewership and fan
following in Women's sports between the two time periods, but it is not clear
whether this difference is statistically significant.
CONTNGENCY TABLE
Response Male Female Sum
High Growth 16 3 19
Marginal Growth 15 4 19
Slight Growth 1 1 2
No Growth At All 1 2 3
TOTAL 43
RESULT:
RESULTS
Response Male Female Sum
High Growth 16 [14.58] [0.14] 3 [4.42] [0.46] 19
Marginal Growth 15 [14.58] [0.01] 4 [4.42] [0.42] 19
Slight Growth 1 [1.53] [0.19] 1 [0.47] [0.62] 2
No Growth At All 1 [2.30] [0.74] 2 [0.70] [2.43] 3
TOTAL SUM 43
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CHI-SQUARE DISTRIBUTION GRAPH
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[3.3] Chi-Square Test
Question: Do you believe that female athletes are paid less than male
athletes for equivalent levels of performance?
We need to conduct Chi-Square to determine whether there is a
significant difference in the proportion of males and females who believe
that female athletes are paid less than male athletes for equivalent levels
of performance.
Hypothesis:
Based on the responses received, the hypothesis formed are:
Null hypothesis (H0): There is no significant difference in the proportion of
males and females who believe that female athletes are paid less than male
athletes for equivalent levels of performance.
Alternative Hypothesis (HA): There is a significant difference in the
proportion of males and females who believe that female athletes are paid
less than male athletes for equivalent levels of performance.
The responses received from the 10 females and 33 males suggest that there
been a disparity with regards with the payments for female athletes, of which
9 out of all females believed there been always this disparity, the result had
mixed opinion. but it is not clear whether this difference is statistically
significant
CONTNGENCY TABLE
Response Male Female Sum
Yes 18 9 19
No 15 1 19
TOTAL 43
RESULT:
RESULTS
Response Male Female Sum
Yes 18 [20.72] [0.36] 9 [6.28] [1.18] 27
No 15 [12.28] [0.60] 1 [3.72] [1.99] 16
TOTAL SUM 43
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CHI-SQUARE DISTRIBUTION GRAPH
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CHAPTER 4
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[4.1] Findings of The Study
✓ Cricket and Badminton are the most followed sports in India, with
62.2% of the respondents actively following cricket.
✓ There has been a significant growth in viewership of women's sports
in the last two decades, with most of the respondents believing in this
development.
✓ Majority of the respondents believe that there have been instances
where female athletes were paid less than male athletes.
✓ Majority of the respondents agreed that it is essential for female
athletes to receive equal pay.
✓ The most popular reason for the gender pay gap in sports was
attributed to the difference in popularity and revenue generated.
✓ Respondents suggested that increasing media coverage, public
awareness, legislation, and providing financial incentives could lead
to a reduction in the gender pay gap.
✓ The government's role was considered crucial in increasing funding
for women's sports programs, encouraging sponsorship and
investment, increasing media coverage and exposure, and creating
more opportunities for participation to increase popularity and revenue
generation for women's sports.
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[4.2] Further Suggestions Based On the Survey
According to the survey, there are various suggestions to reduce the gender
pay gap. One of the most effective ways is to increase media coverage and
exposure of women's sports to attract more viewership and generate more
revenue. This could lead to more investment in women's sports programs,
resulting in better resources and opportunities for female athletes.
Another way to reduce the gender pay gap is to raise public awareness about
the issue and its impact on female athletes. Educating people on the
importance of gender equality in sports could lead to a change in attitudes
and encourage more support for women's sports programs.
Introducing legislation to mandate equal pay for male and female athletes
could also help reduce the gender pay gap. This would ensure that female
athletes receive the same compensation as their male counterparts for
equivalent levels of performance.
Providing financial incentives to organizations working on gender equality
and encouraging sponsorship and investment in women's sports programs
can also help to increase revenue and create more opportunities for female
athletes.
Lastly, increasing funding for women's sports programs can provide equal
resources and opportunities for female athletes, and help to close the gender
pay gap. By implementing these suggestions, we can work towards reducing
the gender pay gap in sports and promoting gender equality in all areas of
society.
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[4.3] Conclusion
In conclusion, our research paper has analysed the gender pay gap in sports,
with a specific focus on women's sports. We found that women's sports
continue to face significant disparities in pay, sponsorship opportunities,
and media coverage, which affects the professionalism of female athletes.
We analysed the factors contributing to the gender pay gap, including
differences in investment and sponsorship, media coverage, and cultural
attitudes towards women's sports. Our research highlights the need for
increased investment in women's sports, equal pay policies, and greater
media coverage of female athletes. These actions would not only help close
the gender pay gap but also promote greater gender equality and
professionalism in sports. We also emphasize the importance of raising
awareness about the gender pay gap and advocating for policy changes to
address it. It is essential that athletes, sports organizations, and policymakers
work together to create a more equitable and professional environment for
female athletes in sports.
In conclusion, our research paper provides valuable insights into the gender
pay gap in sports and its impact on female athletes' professionalism,
highlighting the urgent need for greater investment, policy changes, and
cultural shifts to promote gender equality in sports.
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REFERENCES
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26 Aug. 2016, [Link]/articles/womens-sports-history.
Timeline of Women’s Sports. Wikipedia,
[Link]/wiki/Timeline_of_women%27s_sports. Accessed 26 Apr.
11AD.
Revolution and Evolution of Indian Women Athletes.
[Link]/viewpoint/experts-column/revolution-and-
[Link]. Accessed 11 Apr. 2023.
Dash Bhattamishra, Suman, and Rangin Tripathy. The Future of Equal Pay in
Sports. [Link]/sol3/[Link]?abstract_id=4347761. Accessed 12
Apr. 2023.
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