“so that the top 10 women earned around £40 million between them last year to their male equivalents’ £66 million. “
That is probably the smallest percentage gap of any sport.
What is the demand for women’s tennis compared to men’s tennis?
At the very least make them work the same for the money then. Three winning sets instead of two, so a possible five sets instead of a paltry three.
Expect them to complain loudly....or drop like flies on the court.
How many paying attendees do the men generate vs. the women’s numbers? It is a business, I assume?
And men will only play 3 sets against substantially weaker players.
Once upon a time, prize money depended on butts in seats. Now it depends on sponsorships and tv money. That allows the activists and extortionists to move in.
It’s the same thing that is now (further) corrupting the movie business. Not so long ago, the success of a film depended on box office receipts, with the addition of a secondary physical media revenue stream when VHS tapes, DVDs and Blu-rays were introduced. Now the streamers dominate the industry and the streaming model is subscription driven. Enter the shakedown artists.
Do the professional sports need actual fans in the stands any more? Start with basketball. Equalize NBA and WNBA salaries. It’s mostly tv money. Equity, man, equity.
Men play best of five sets in tournaments, Women play best of three.
Women are overcompensated.
Tim Fagman