If you are boxing fan, the news is bittersweet we are sure. You have one of the best fighters topping the Forbes money list yet again, but while you bask in that glory, remember the other thing – women have been virtually absent from the list this year.
And no, we aren’t just talking about women from the boxing industry not making it to the list – we are talking about women from just about any sports in the world. Nobody made it to the top 100 list of the highest paid athletes this year. Yep, you read that right – not even one!
Boxer Floyd Mayweather has topped the Forbes list of the Top 100 Highest paid athletes, yet again. This is the fourth time in seven years that he has made it to the top with Lionel Messi coming second. His estimated income inclusive of winnings, salary and endorsements come to a staggering 285 million U.S dollars.
Thanks to his bout with Conor McGregor last year, the boxer overtakes Real Madrid winger, Cristiano Ronaldo to book the top spot.
The Absence of Women Athletes – A Blot on the entire Sports Industry
While all that is fine, the Forbes list pinpoints that not a single woman has featured in the Top 100 highest paid athletes, clearly indicating the gender pay gap that is prominent in sports.
Living in the 21st century we are witnessing a situation where a single male footballer is worth more than a league of seven women football leagues. Yes, you read that right.
According to the Sporting Intellectual, the net income of Neymar, which is ranked 20 in the list is more than that of seven leagues of woman football taken together. Yes, you read that right.
What is even more sad is that less than 100 women athletes would earn one percent of what Lionel Messi who is ranked second, earns an astounding $111 million dollars.
As for Mayweather, he has pleaded guilty twice already for violence against the mother of his two children. Both his convictions did not fulfil their sentences as for the first one, his charges were dismissed just after 5 years. For the other time that he was sentenced to 90 days in prison, he served 60 days only. The element of surprise in both of the convictions is that the Boxer did not face any suspensions from the rings, pointing once again to the lack of respect sports has to offer women.
Serena Williams, the sole woman to feature on last year’s list slipped through it, because of her pregnancy. Even though her endorsements earn her about $18 million, it is nothing in comparison to the men who are paid ten fold. In fact it is strange to even think of a situation where all women athletes are clearly underpaid besides missing out on career opportunities and growth owing to their domestic duties, which are obviously unpaid.
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