The Women’s World Cup, a highly anticipated event, has begun this week. However, one glaring issue that continues to loom over this year’s tournament is the significant pay gap between male and female soccer players.
Although women’s soccer has seen considerable growth in recent years, many of the highest-earning female players heavily rely on off-field sponsorships to supplement their overall income.
The Salary Structure for Soccer Players
In the world of soccer, players receive a fixed salary from their respective club teams. Additionally, they have the opportunity to earn more when representing their national teams, particularly if they excel in major tournaments. To shed light on the current situation, here are the top club team salaries for women’s soccer players participating in the 2023 Women’s World Cup:
1. Sam Kerr – $513,000
Australian striker Sam Kerr, who unfortunately will miss her team’s first two matches due to a calf injury, stands as the highest-earning female soccer player from her club team, Chelsea F.C. Aside from her club earnings, Kerr is also a notable athlete sponsored by Nike and appears on the cover of Electronic Arts’ flagship soccer game FIFA 23 alongside French footballer Kylian Mbappe. Both on and off the field, Kerr has had significant financial success, as she reportedly earned $3.3 million from her major endorsements in 2022.
2. Alex Morgan – $450,000
Alex Morgan, a widely recognized figure in the soccer world, is another prominent name among top-earning women’s players. She secures her place as the highest earner among the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) members from her club team, San Diego Wave F.C., which competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Morgan, who has contributed significantly to the USWNT’s triumph in the previous two Women’s World Cups, also exhibits her star power and influence off the field. Notably, Forbes estimates that Morgan, boasting an Instagram following of 10 million, earned approximately $5 million through sponsorships from brands such as Nike, Beats, Coca-Cola, and AT&T.
3. Megan Rapinoe – $447,000
Megan Rapinoe, a midfield powerhouse for the USWNT, earns a respectable salary of nearly half a million dollars while representing her club team, OL Reign, in the NWSL. Alongside her exceptional playing skills, Rapinoe has become an influential figure due to her activism and outspoken nature. With her strong presence both on and off the field, she continues to contribute significantly to the growth and success of women’s soccer.
Rapinoe’s Earnings and Off-Field Sponsorships
Megan Rapinoe, an acclaimed American soccer player, made $5 million in off-field earnings last year. These earnings were largely attributed to her sponsorships with renowned companies such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, Google, Nike, and Verizon Communications.
Ertz’s Profile and Sponsorships
Julie Ertz, another notable player from the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), secured a place on the list. Aside from her national team commitments, Ertz plays her club soccer season at Angel City F.C. in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Notably, she is married to Zach Ertz, a prominent NFL tight end. Ertz’s social media presence is substantial, with nearly 2 million followers across her accounts. Her sponsorships include partnerships with Visa and Frito Lay, which is owned by Pepsi.
Marta: Brazil’s Football Icon
Marta, a revered figure in women’s football and often regarded among the greatest players in history, represents Brazil. She currently plays for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL. Marta’s prolific goal-scoring abilities have led her to become Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with an impressive record of 115 goals. Her significant social media following on Instagram amounts to nearly 3 million followers. Marta is also associated with off-field sponsorships from Frito Lay and Panini.
Gender Pay Disparity in Soccer
Despite the lucrative earnings mentioned earlier, it is crucial to acknowledge the substantial pay gap between male and female players in the sport. The top male players earn staggering amounts from their club teams. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo is estimated to earn around $213 million this year with Al Nassr, Kylian Mbappe receives $110 million from Paris Saint-German, and Karim Benzema reportedly collects $214 million from his two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad.
Increasing Financial Opportunities for Women’s World Cup Players
There is hope for increased financial equity in women’s soccer due to the growing opportunities available to Women’s World Cup players. The upcoming FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup will offer a total prize money of $150 million, marking a significant 300% increase from the previous tournament in 2019. However, it is worth noting that the prize money for the women’s event is still substantially lower compared to the $440 million distributed at the 2022 men’s tournament in Qatar.
FIFA has committed to achieving pay parity between the men’s and women’s tournaments by 2027, considering it an “objective” for the future.
