Former First Lady Michelle Obama “advocated for equal pay for female athletes” at the U.S. Open, the "latest prominent figure to push for progress in women’s sports,” according to Gillian Tan of BLOOMBERG NEWS. Addressing the Arthur Ashe stadium crowd last night in Flushing Meadows, Obama “honored Billie Jean King," who "implored sponsors and the United States Tennis Association to facilitate equal prize money.” The conversation surrounding equal pay in women’s sports has been "elevated" in recent weeks during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Proponents are "encouraging broadcasters and sponsors to acknowledge the heightened interest in women’s soccer, as measured by viewership and attendance.” In tennis, change “is coming, but not anytime soon.” The WTA in June “outlined a pathway to equal prize money at certain events by 2027, and all tournaments by 2033.” Recent tournaments have “highlighted the continuing gulf” in prize money between male and female tennis players (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 8/29).
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: King, with regards to women's sports, said last night, "For the first time in my life, I feel like I can breathe a little bit. I think we're at a tipping point." TOWNANDCOUNTRYMAG.com's Emily Burack wrote while the Grand Slams in tennis have led the way in equal pay, “other sports have lagged behind.” In soccer, the USWNT “finally secured equal pay" to the USMNT last year. King: "The challenge is they got equal pay, but there's less money for grassroots probably because of it, but that means we don't have enough investment. Women are just starting to get the investment." By allocating more money for equal pay, King implies, that money is “being diverted from supporting basic levels of the sport.” Women's sports are “beginning to get significant investment,” but “still are nowhere near the money in men's sports.” King: “It's really important that women are invested in sports. In the NWSL, the WNBA and all these [leagues], you'll start to see more and more women owners. … I think they actually think their investment's going to make money over time.” Tennis player Jessica Pegula said, “We have equal pay at the Slams, but it's not everywhere. … That's something that hopefully we can get to." Pegula added that she “doesn't feel pressure, but a responsibility.” She said equal pay is "something I want to give back to a sport that's already given me so much” (TOWNANDCOUNTRYMAG.com, 8/28).
