Women's Pay

[mateinone]

There is an article in the age at the moment by Larissa Nicholson

The AFL owes women so much more

In this argument Larissa argues that women need to be paid more because women support the men's game, making up X% of the audience and volunteers etc.

Now, I don't disagree that women play a big part in the men's game (as all supporters and volunteers do), but I am not sure how that translates to more money being paid as wages to players.

Now this sounds harsh and it isn't meant disrespectfully, but isn't the AFL already committing more money than they are going to be able to be sure the game is able to generate? The men receive about 22% I believe of revenue at present (and are pushing for 25%), is it unreasonable to suggest that if women's football takes off like men's football has that it will attract more sponsorship, that it will attract more people through the gates and will make a significant difference to TV money, which will then see the women rewarded with better pay?

This isn't an equal opportunity thing, the money generated by the sport at present is generated because it is the best AFL competition in the world and as such there is money in it. For many years men were getting paid little or nothing also, until they started to attract more corporate/tv dollars.

I don't have a particular grudge against the women's game at all and I am absolutely all for the AFL investing money in it to give it what I would have thought was a considerable start, but much like the VFL, the SANFL, the WAFL and other competitions, I personally don't have any real major interest in it and I think it is generally like all sporting codes it is getting funding, but it also needs to start generating more funds if it wants to have more for the players.

I don't see that it is at all relevant the sex of the supporters or the volunteers when it comes to the distribution of funds, as they are choosing to invest in the men's version. If those same people choose to stop supporting the men's and instead put their dollars into the women's game then absolutely the distribution should (and will change).

At the moment, I am not sure why it isn't just a time to celebrate for those that are finally getting some good exposure for the sport they are passionate about.

Anyway interested in thoughts of others including just how many people know our players and are planning to go the women's league games (are they on separately or will they be double headers with men's games?). Is there going to be a separate membership and if there is... Will you be getting one?

EDIT: Before the insults come in, I suspect most will disagree with my opinion, which is fine it is an opinion, but I would feel exactly the same if men tried to start a national men's netball league (traditionally considered a women's only sport at the highest level) and get in on the money the game has started to attract. I also do tend to think enough people will get interested in the women's league that it may well end up doing well financially and I think if it does that will be great for them.