By Panayiotis Constantinou, Contributor
Gender (in)equality has become an increasingly discussed topic in the 21st century. It started as a reaction of many females that felt trampled. However, eventually grew to become one of the largest social and political movements society has witnessed. This increase in zest for the topic has resulted in it affecting several aspects of life, including – in a controversial manner – sports.
Undeniably, the past few decades witnessed an ‘explosion’ of monetary investment and public support in sports. It is evident however, that this ‘explosion’ occurred in an unequal manner be it in terms of race or gender. While racism does occur in sports – notably at referees and athletes of colour by supporters – there is little inequality deriving from racism in comparison to inequality deriving from gender stereotypes.
“When girls like football, I think it’s ok. But I think that the level of women’s football is too low to take it seriously.”
– Andrey Arshavin (former Arsenal F.C.)
This quote by former Russian national and Arsenal player is an example of sexism in sports, but not inequality. It shows how females are often disregarded, even by male athletes. This perception is not unique to Arshavin, and it likely still exists today.
Inequality in soccer is evident, particularly in the massive pay gap between male and female players. Cristiano Ronaldo earns $34.71 million per year, while Carli Lloyd earns only $518,000 annually. The fact that Ronaldo’s salary is 67 times greater than Lloyd’s highlights the gender inequality in sports.
A common argument claims female soccer is less interesting due to males being more biologically suited for competition. Thus, resulting in lower viewership. However, the real cause behind the pay gap may be the lack of support and investment in women’s soccer. ESPN, a prominent sports channel, dedicates only 5.7% of its coverage to female sports, and even that often focuses more on athletes’ sexuality than their achievements.
Thus, female sports are not marketed in the same way as male sports, which directly impacts support and investment.
“It’s not enough to shatter the glass ceiling. You have to clear the glass.”
– Julie Kedzie (former UFC fighter)
UFC is often regarded as one of the most ‘equal’ sports regarding gender equality. The promotion has successfully marketed female athletes like Ronda Rousey and Molly McCann, turning them into celebrities. However, the quote by former UFC fighter Julie Kedzie challenges this notion, as she implies that women may not be treated equally in the organization.
The UFC likes to claim that it’s different from other sports because female athletes earn as much as male athletes. While Ronda Rousey’s success is a prime example, there is little other evidence to support this claim. The UFC has realized the value of promoting female athletes to expand their market and boost profits.
However, this doesn’t absolve the UFC from the sexism that has persisted within the organization. It shows that the UFC is willing to give women a platform and promote female empowerment, a concept in high demand. Female fighters in the UFC receive higher exposure than in other sports, where only 4% of global sports media coverage features female athletes.
In conclusion, gender inequality in sports is still an issue affecting promotion, investment, and support, even in the UFC. Although improvements have been made, sports like the UFC must continue pushing for gender equality to reach complete fairness in the industry.
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