The World Unfolding by Jeff Rehmar

Hey everyone, welcome back to The World Unfolding. Today, I’m tackling a topic that runs deeper than just a paycheck—it’s about respect, equality, and the simple notion that talent should be rewarded fairly, regardless of gender. I’m arguing for one key solution: Congress should pass a law requiring men’s sports leagues, like the NBA and PGA Tour, to legally share profits with their female counterparts. If we want to call ourselves fair, we’ve got to do better than the status quo.

The Problem: Two People, Same Skills, Wildly Different Paychecks

Imagine you’ve got twins—one boy, one girl—both of whom grow up to be basketball phenoms. The boy enters the NBA, pulling in a contract that could buy a small island. The girl, equally talented, makes it to the WNBA and is paid enough to live comfortably, but nowhere close to her brother’s lifestyle. This isn’t a hypothetical; it’s the sports world we’re living in right now.

Let’s break down the numbers:

• NBA vs. WNBA:

  • Minimum Salaries: An NBA rookie signs for $925,000 a year; in the WNBA, a rookie starts at around $60,471. That’s a 15x difference.

  • Average Salaries: NBA players average around $9.6 million. The WNBA? $120,648—a gap of 80x.

  • Top Salaries: Stephen Curry pulls in $52 million, while Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd are earning about $228,000 each. Curry’s pulling down over 200 times more than the best-paid WNBA players.

The Solution: Congress, Let’s See Some Action

So, what’s the solution here? Congress needs to step up with a straightforward but game-changing move: legislate profit-sharing between men’s and women’s leagues. Here’s why this isn’t just a nice-to-have but a necessity:

1. Revenue Sharing: Imagine a small percentage of NBA or PGA Tour revenue going toward WNBA and LPGA salaries. This isn’t a “handout”; it’s creating fair opportunity. Sharing a slice of these massive earnings could boost women’s sports, from better salaries to improved facilities and more marketing muscle.

2. Sponsorship and Media Equity: Legislation could also mandate joint sponsorship deals or media coverage quotas. Imagine if women’s sports got the airtime and brand exposure they deserve. Fans would follow. In fact, 84% of global sports fans are interested in women’s sports, with 45% of U.S. fans watching both men’s and women’s games. The demand is there; it just needs investment and visibility.

Let’s be clear: leaving pay equality up to the “free market” hasn’t worked. Mandating profit-sharing isn’t radical—it’s the only way to level the playing field.

Case in Point: Tennis and Australian Golf

If you’re skeptical, look no further than tennis. All four Grand Slam tournaments—the US Open, Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open—offer equal prize money for men and women. The US Open led the way back in 1973, thanks to Billie Jean King, who didn’t just advocate for equal pay; she fought for it like her legacy depended on it. Today, the equal prize structure is a no-brainer and one of the sport’s best decisions.

Then there’s Australian golf, which has embraced equal prize money in innovative ways. Events like the Vic Open bring men’s and women’s tournaments to the same course, playing for the same prize money. It’s a brilliant setup, showing that fans will turn up for both if given the opportunity.

These examples aren’t theoretical; they’re proof that equal pay works and that it’s doable. Let’s take a cue from tennis and golf in Australia, and apply it across the board.

The Real Culprit: A Cycle of Underinvestment

The real reason we’re stuck in this pay gap cycle? Visibility. Men’s leagues have decades of network support, high-profile sponsors, and marketing. Women’s leagues, meanwhile, get a fraction of that exposure. So, of course, they bring in less revenue; it’s not a question of popularity but of opportunity.

Megan Rapinoe drives it home: “There’s no reason to support women’s sports just out of the goodness of your heart… it’s smart business.” When you give women’s leagues the visibility they deserve, revenue and fans follow. It’s the simple logic of supply meeting demand.

This Isn’t Just Fair—It’s Smart

Mandating profit-sharing isn’t just about fairness—it’s about future-proofing sports. When leagues prioritize equality, everyone benefits: more fans, more sponsorship opportunities, and a stronger industry. Equal pay also tells young athletes they’ll be valued equally, regardless of gender.

Billie Jean King once said, “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” Making equal pay a reality sends a powerful message to young girls watching at home: they can dream just as big as their brothers.

Congress, Step Up

Some might say the free market should dictate salaries, but sports leagues have always operated within frameworks built by collective bargaining and subsidies. A legal mandate for profit-sharing isn’t extreme—it’s just a long-overdue adjustment to a system that’s ignored women for too long.

Passing a law requiring profit-sharing between men’s and women’s leagues would pave the way to finally achieving equal pay in sports. We wouldn’t be taking away from men’s leagues; we’d be building a better, more inclusive sports world.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s edition of The World Unfolding. If you believe in a fair future for all athletes, consider sharing this piece and advocating for change.

Sources

1. NBA Salary Breakdown - CNBC

2. WNBA Salary Disparities and League Expansion - Sports Illustrated

3. Stephen Curry’s Earnings - ESPN

4. PGA vs. LPGA Earnings Gap - Golf Digest

5. Billie Jean King and Equal Pay at the US Open - History.com

6. The Vic Open’s Equal Pay Model - Golf Digest

7. Megan Rapinoe on Pay Equality - Forbes

8. Billie Jean King’s Legacy in Equal Pay - ESPN