Women's billion-dollar boom leaves players behind, union says
A new Fifpro survey reveals that despite the growing commercial success of women's football, many professional players face financial instability and poor mental health support. Over half of the respondents reported struggling with mental health, with many citing low wages and lack of club resources as primary stressors.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing disparity between the commercialization of women's sports and the actual working conditions of the athletes.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Players from Real Madrid and Barcelona joined strike action in Spain's Liga F in 2023, as unions sought improved pay and conditions
Women's football is on course to become a billion-dollar industry, but many professional players are still earning low wages, working on insecure contracts and experiencing rising psychological stress.
That is according to the findings of a new global survey of more than 800 footballers by the players' union Fifpro. , external
Players were asked why they might leave football early. The report stated 59% cited financial reasons, while psychological stress was another factor identified by 46% of respondents, up from 13% when Fifpro conducted its previous survey in 2017.
Alex Culvin, head of women's football at Fifpro, said there was no single explanation for the increase. She pointed to growing public exposure, financial insecurity and inadequate support systems as possible contributing factors.
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