Stephanie Gilmore said that the decision will send a message to other sports and industries.GETTY IMAGES
Surfer Stephanie Gilmore "paid tribute to trailblazing women's tennis star Billie Jean King after surfing joined the exclusive list of sports to offer equal prize money for men and women," according to the AAP. The World Surf League "will roll out equal pay at all elite tour events from next year" -- the first U.S.-based global sports league to do so. Gilmore said that the decision will "send a statement to other sports and industries around the world." She said, "It's a world issue we're all talking about, but in 2018 just talking about it isn't enough, it's time to take some action. I'm proud of the WSL because they're willing to make that change; it's such a young sport, we can dictate how we want it to be, be progressive." Next season's championship, longboard, junior and big wave tours will offer equal pay, while the WSL "plans to extend equal prize money to other second-tier events where prize money is not under its direct control as soon as possible." Wimbledon became the last of tennis' four grand slams to initiate equal prize money in '07. Gilmore said that King's efforts "paved the way for surfing." Gilmore: "I'm so inspired by the like of Billy Jean King and women in tennis who fought so hard to get what they deserved. ... It's huge news and makes me proud to be a surfer today." Surfer Kelly Slater said, "The women on the tour deserve this change" (AAP, 9/6). The BBC reported WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt, who was formerly the chief commercial and marketing director of the Rugby Football Union, said, "We feel very lucky to have women on our tour who are highly-talented, iconic role models, and more than deserve this recognition as they stand alongside our extraordinary male athletes" (BBC, 9/5).
