Women in Sport Face Pay Gap Crisis
BBC Elite British Sportswomen's Study 2024: Athletes Speak Out on Income, Harassment, Motherhood, and Equality
The dream of representing Great Britain on the world stage often comes with an unexpected cost. For many elite British sportswomen, it means sacrificing financial stability. In a revealing BBC study of 143 female athletes, over a third admitted the strain of rising living costs has made them consider leaving their sport entirely.
The study found that more than 75% of these top-tier athletes earn a yearly income of less than £30,000 directly from their sport. Even more concerning is that over 40% take home under £10,000 annually and almost 60% earn less than £20,000. To put this in perspective, the average UK salary was £34,963 in April of 2023 and the national living wage for adults over 23 working a 35-hour week is up to £18,964 a year.
The BBC's study, released on Monday, delved into a broad spectrum of issues faced by female athletes. This article is one in a series we'll present this week that examines the findings in depth. The athletes included in the study, all above the age of 16, compete at the highest levels of their sport, either internationally for Britain or domestically on the top club circuits. The anonymous questionnaire was sent to 615 participants across 28 sports, with 143 submitted responses.
This is the fourth iteration of this research project conducted by the BBC, with previous studies released in 2013, 2015, and 2020. Let's explore some of the personal experiences these sportswomen shared regarding financial hardship, online abuse, gender discrimination, and the complex choices surrounding motherhood and athletics.
The Price of Winning: Earning Below Minimum Wage
Participants were asked to reveal their total sports-related income before taxes. This included any grants, stipends, prize money, salaries, or sponsorship deals. One athlete with both Olympic aspirations and junior world titles confessed that, despite her dedication, she's debated quitting because of financial strain.
She noted that even an entry-level position in her chosen field of study would pay significantly more than the £16,000 annual stipend she receives for her athletic pursuits. The pressure to supplement her income with side work is immense. However, she feels the demands of a regular job would be incompatible with the rigors of her training schedule and jeopardize her Olympic goals.
Other athletes voiced similar struggles, lamenting the difficulty of finding sponsorships. One respondent commented that even as the public profile of women's sports continues to grow, financial backing is shrinking, especially in niche or less mainstream sports, making it difficult to survive even with world-class achievements. There were some outliers, with six athletes reporting incomes between £100,000 and £500,000 and two surpassing the £500,000 mark. However, none exceeded an income of £1 million.
The study confirmed broad support for the opinion that female athletes are not compensated equally when compared to their male counterparts. One athlete put it succinctly, "If both a man and a woman are undertaking the same level of training in their sport, and the woman is being paid less, that's inherently unfair. Things are moving in the right direction, but there's still a way to go."
Progress with Room for Growth: Views on Media Coverage
The study also asked participants to reflect on shifts in how the media covers their sport over the past five years. While there's still a strong perception that women's sports don't receive adequate attention, the overwhelming majority of respondents noted significant improvement in media coverage compared to half a decade ago.
One athlete expressed this mixed sentiment, stating, "There's definitely been a positive shift, especially since the Lionesses won the Euros. That said, our particular sport often gets minimal or even zero coverage." This echoes a common theme: progress is evident, but there's much more ground to cover.
The historic win by the Lionesses at Euro 2022 undoubtedly became a watershed moment, raising awareness and sparking wider interest in women's sports. It seems to have pushed the needle forward for many other female athletes across various disciplines.
Financial Struggles and Sponsorship Disparities
Alongside media representation, the BBC study highlights the dire financial circumstances endured by many elite sportswomen. For a substantial number of athletes, pursuing excellence in their chosen sport equates to significant personal financial sacrifice.
One anonymous athlete detailed the stark income disparities, explaining, "Prize money for women in our sport either doesn't exist or is pitifully small compared to what men receive. Even though I train full-time, I earn less than a minimum wage worker and have to pay for my own travel to competitions."
When asked whether they believe their gender affects their income potential, most respondents were resolute in their belief that women are generally underpaid in comparison to male athletes. As one participant asserted, "There remains a noticeable pay gap between female and male athletes. For example, a male athlete in our sport who qualifies for the Olympics earns more from their governing body than a woman who wins Olympic gold."
Battling Abuse in the Digital Age
While there are signs of positive change in media coverage, the study also sheds light on the concerning rise of online abuse. Social media platforms, while intended for engagement and building connections, have become virtual battlegrounds where athletes often face targeted negativity and harassment.
A staggering percentage of survey respondents – almost half – admitted to experiencing some form of social media abuse. The nature of this harassment ran the gamut from demeaning comments about their physical appearance to violent threats. One athlete commented, "There's an insidious undercurrent of negativity directed towards women in sport with men often critiquing our bodies and our looks. When a woman excels, it's often written off as 'luck' rather than attributed to skill and talent."
The insights from this study are both sobering and empowering. They highlight the undeniable progress that has been made in recent years, but also clearly underscore the unique set of challenges that female athletes face. From inequitable pay to navigating the harsh landscape of online abuse, the pursuit of sporting greatness carries additional burdens for women.
Old-School Bias: Sexism Still Rears its Head
Progress in media coverage and online visibility are encouraging, but the study reveals another persistent problem: sexism within the sports world itself. Almost 75% of respondents confessed they've personally faced sexism in their chosen field.
One athlete candidly recounted an upsetting incident where she was awarded a top sporting accolade based not on her performance but her "best bum" in the sport. Recounting the incident, she said, "I was so shocked and felt like I was on the verge of tears. The award ceremony was in front of the very same people I looked up to in the industry. All I wanted was for it to be over." She went on to express how she now knows how to respond when confronted with this kind of objectification but wishes she'd felt empowered to do so in the moment.
Sexism manifests in various other ways, including unequal access to coaching support and disparities in how sports governing bodies treat women compared to their male counterparts. Over a third of the athletes felt they don't receive adequate coaching resources when compared to men at similar levels in their sport. Another third expressed a lack of confidence in the support provided by their governing body, noting a clear difference in how the organization treats men.
Sadly, the study revealed additional forms of discrimination, with over 40% of respondents confirming they have faced some form of prejudice within their discipline.
The Complicated Intersection of Motherhood and Sport
Perhaps one of the most complex and difficult topics the study explored was the issue of motherhood for female athletes. Over a third of participants admitted that their athletic pursuits have made them hesitant about starting a family. Concerns about inadequate support from clubs or sports governing bodies appear to play a significant role in these choices, with more than a third feeling unsupported in the possibility of both having children and continuing their sporting careers.
A further troubling figure showed that almost two-thirds of the athletes don't even know their organization's official parental leave policy. Several cited a sense that the topic of having a child feels almost off-limits, with one fearing their career could be jeopardized by bringing it up and another disclosing that their governing body has repeatedly delayed implementing a maternity policy.
Tragically, the study exposed the difficult decision some women felt they had to make. Six athletes confessed to having abortions because they believed motherhood would negatively impact their athletic pursuits.
Balancing Act: Athletes' Struggles and Triumphs in Parenthood
These concerns highlight the need for substantial change, and one athlete expressed her experiences after giving birth. She shared a frustrating sense of being let down by her governing body, demonstrating a clear lack of willingness to accommodate or understand the challenges of being both an athlete and a parent.
Another athlete detailed her decision to start a family based heavily on fears of what extended time out of the sport might mean for her future, noting the additional financial strain that childcare would place on her to continue training.
However, a glimmer of hope was apparent – there were some athletes who found positive examples to draw from. One mother, now back in full-time training after having had a child, shared an encouraging story of feeling "fully supported" in her dual role of athlete and parent. Her national team also offered an exemplary model of accommodating and assisting athletes who choose to have children and wish to return as quickly and safely as possible.
Signs of Change, Calls for Action
The experiences shared by these 143 sportswomen paint a complex picture. While there are clear challenges, there's also a sense of cautious optimism stemming from the progress observed in recent years. The Lionesses' triumphant Euro 2022 victory undoubtedly played a key role in shifting public perception and bringing increased attention to the world of women's sports.
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew has taken note, announcing he'll be bringing together a first-ever Board of Women's Sport later this month. The purpose of the board will be to bring together former athletes, industry figures, and experts to discuss opportunities and best practices to further advance elite-level women's sports.
"We're at a pivotal moment for elite women's sport in this country," Andrew declared. "My goal is to see it continue to grow and thrive, and I believe a collective effort will help chart the best path forward."
Triathlete Laura Siddall offered a unique perspective, warning against taking current progress for granted. She stated, "We should absolutely celebrate where we are now, but that shouldn't equal complacency. We are grateful for the advances and the spotlight, but there's still a significant gap to close."
The Need for Systematic & Cultural Change
The BBC study's findings point to the need for structural change within sports governing bodies and organizations. Providing robust maternity policies, offering more equitable coaching resources, and eradicating sexist attitudes will all be vital to create lasting and sustainable change. These issues can't be addressed by individual athletes but rather require a concerted effort from those at the top levels of sports governance.
Several key areas emerged from the study where focused change could create significant improvements:
Income Disparity: Establishing a framework to ensure equal pay between female and male athletes engaging in similar sports at comparable levels is essential. This should include reevaluating prize money, sponsorships, and funding.
Online Safeguards: Sports governing bodies should take a proactive role in combating online abuse. Enacting clear policies, reporting mechanisms, and even engaging with social media platforms may be necessary to shield athletes from negativity.
Culture Shift Deeply rooted sexist attitudes must be confronted head-on through awareness campaigns, diversity training, and implementing stricter consequences for those who engage in discriminatory behavior. This extends beyond overt acts to dismantling underlying biases and creating a truly inclusive sporting world
Shining a Light on Progress & Future Needs
While the challenges faced by elite sportswomen are undeniably significant, the BBC study also serves as a catalyst to celebrate those paving the way for a more equitable future. Sharing athlete stories, highlighting positive changes, and publicly calling out instances of sexism or discrimination all play a role in shifting the narrative and empowering more women to pursue their sporting dreams.
While this is one small study focusing exclusively on the United Kingdom, similar trends are likely present globally. The more we elevate these conversations, the better equipped athletes, governing bodies, and fans will be to advocate for greater equality in all aspects of sport, ensuring future generations of women athletes inherit a better, fairer, and more empowering sporting landscape.
A Call for Continued Progress, A Vision for the Future
The 2024 BBC study of elite British sportswomen offers a revealing snapshot of the current landscape women in sports navigate. It reminds us that while there have been undeniable strides in representation and recognition, a substantial gap still exists between women's and men's experiences in the sporting world.
While challenges persist, a sense of determination also emerges from the voices of these top athletes. Many highlighted the urgent need for continued progress, noting that celebrating victories and acknowledging advancements cannot lead to complacency. The momentum gained must be harnessed to push boundaries and build a sporting environment free from inequality and discrimination.
The athletes featured in this study have offered not only their struggles but also valuable insights into how to create lasting and systemic change in their chosen fields. Here's a brief summary of the crucial action points that surfaced as we dissected their stories:
Economic Stability
To level the playing field, there must be a focus on closing income gaps. Governing bodies and sports organizations need to critically examine how they financially support female athletes, addressing prize money disparities, fair allocation of funding, and opportunities to secure sponsorships.
Safe and Inclusive Spaces
Measures must be put in place to ensure that female athletes, both physically and online, are protected. Policies against all forms of discrimination need to be robust and proactively enforced. This includes establishing clear reporting mechanisms for abuse and empowering governing bodies to take decisive action against those found liable.
Support for Motherhood
One of the most fundamental ways to support women athletes is to create environments where having a family or wanting children is not viewed as a detriment to their careers. Flexible training schedules, comprehensive maternity policies, and access to childcare are all essential pieces to fostering an environment where athletes don't feel they have to choose between their sport and motherhood.
Advocacy and Education
Athletes at all levels can advocate for themselves and their peers. Speaking up about challenges, sharing examples of discrimination, and calling for better treatment are powerful tools to foster change. Education plays a key role, with initiatives to increase awareness about gender bias in sports being crucial for athletes, coaches, and the sporting community at large.
The path towards a truly equal sporting landscape is an ongoing journey, not a destination. This BBC study not only highlights the hurdles that still exist but also serves as a powerful reminder that progress is possible when female athletes are empowered to share their experiences and the world of sports is held accountable to create a more just future.
