Shan2k Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Staid Wimbledon ditches tradition: Women to get paid same as men By KRYSTYNA RUDZKI, AP Sports Writer February 22, 2007 WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Genteel and old-fashioned Wimbledon discarded one of its longest traditions -- unequal pay. The All England Club yielded to 21st century realities Thursday, agreeing to pay women the same as men and falling in line with the other Grand Slam tournaments. Six-time singles champion Billie Jean King, a pioneer for women's sports, said the decision was "a long time coming." "With women and men paid on an equal scale, it demonstrates to the rest of the world that this is the right thing to do for the sport, the tournament and the world," she said. The U.S. Open and Australian Open have paid equal prize money for years. The French Open paid the men's and women's champions the same for the first time last year, although the overall prize fund remained bigger for men. Wimbledon will pay equal money from the first round through the final at the June 25-July 8 grass-court championships. "I knew it was just a matter of time," defending Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo said. "They resisted the longest they could. They have made the right decision and they really had no choice." Wimbledon's prize fund will be announced in April. It will cost the club about $1.1 million to ensure equal pay, an increase funded through operating costs rather than a reduction in the overall purse. "It's good news for all the women players, and recognizes their major contribution to Wimbledon and we also believe it will serve as a positive encouragement for women in sports," club chairman Tim Phillips said. "In short, good for tennis, good for women players and good for Wimbledon." Wimbledon cited a combination of commercial, political and sporting factors for the decision."We think now is absolutely the right time to make this move," Phillips said. "We have a reputation both for the championships and for the All England Club and we have to look after that." When Wimbledon started paying players in 1968, King won 37.5 percent of the check earned by men's champion Rod Laver. Last year, Mauresmo got $1.117 million -- 95.4 percent of the $1.170 million that Roger Federer received for winning the men's title. The WTA Tour had lobbied for years to get Wimbledon to adopt equal pay. "This is an historic and defining moment for women in the sport of tennis, and a significant step forward for the equality of women in our society," WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott said. The French Tennis Federation will discuss overall pay parity for the French Open on March 16. The All England Club previously held out against equal prizes as a matter of principle. Phillips had cited that men play best-of-five set matches while the women play best of three. Also, some women can potentially make more money overall because they also play doubles, while the top men usually play only singles. "I don't think that the amount of time that somebody spends on the court or the closeness of the matches is the pre-eminent factor in reaching a conclusion on this," club chief executive Ian Ritchie said. "We looked at the commercial factors very much in the past, as much as the political ones. We look at it on the whole." Phillips said "broader social factors" played a part, noting that 55 percent of Wimbledon's spectators were women and the club will host the 2012 Olympic tennis tournament. "The greatest tennis tournament in the world has reached an even greater height today," three-time champion Venus Williams said. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is unfair! I feel they used the women's liberationist to help support this “money hungry” act. The guys play best out of 5 and the women play best out of 3! It would be more obvious for the women to get more draw because of all the endorsement and publicity they've been getting in entertainment than the men. The William's sisters, who revolutionize tennis for African Americans, and Anna Kournikova whose celebrity fame has drew in crowds. But the men play more games. And that's discrimination again the men.
alphamale Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 But the men play more games. And that's discrimination again the men. not only that but the men bring in the ratings and viewers also. few people care about women's tennis or any womens pro sport for that matter.
Trialbyfire Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Since men have two more balls than women, this must explain the reason for unequal pay for tennis players.
alphamale Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Since men have two more balls than women, you can't use those for tennis sister
InsanityImpaired Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Just do a comparison of the non-grand slam tournaments, and you will find that women are paid less - with the exception of the GS tournaments. Who does not remember David Letterman's "Play of the Day" - Anna Kournikova shaking her butt as she is about to return a service. Wages and prize-money in sport are mostly dependent on sponsorships and television rights. And it begs the argument that female football players cannot even make a living playing the game. But the men, who are playing the same 90 minutes per match make millions a year. Supposedly Andriy Shevchenko brings in $200,000 a week!
champagne Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Ok. I'll correct you because you're wrong. I think it's great. If a woman wins, she should win the same prize as the man winning. He has not accomplished anything greater by winning the tennis tournament, so he should not be paid more. Woman wins tournament: Woman wins a million dollars. Man wins tournament: Man wins a million dollars. How is this unfair? Anyway...why would you care, male tennis players aren't losing out on anything in this deal. So why would they be against their female counterparts earning the same prize if they win the tournament? I think we should ask the male tennis players at Wimbledon if they have a problem with this. I doubt they do, and I in fact believe the male contestants are happy for them. We're talking 6% of over a million dollar prize here. Why would men see this as a injustice? Ridiculous.
Trialbyfire Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Okay, time to get serious about this topic. Winnings should be based on a percentage of corresponding earnings. Earnings should be based on both attendance at matches and income derived from media coverage. I don't personally care which gender gets more, as long as it's based on the same rule of thumb.
Author Shan2k Posted June 2, 2007 Author Posted June 2, 2007 Ok. I'll correct you because you're wrong. I think it's great. If a woman wins, she should win the same prize as the man winning. He has not accomplished anything greater by winning the tennis tournament, so he should not be paid more. Woman wins tournament: Woman wins a million dollars. Man wins tournament: Man wins a million dollars. How is this unfair? Anyway...why would you care, male tennis players aren't losing out on anything in this deal. So why would they be against their female counterparts earning the same prize if they win the tournament? I think we should ask the male tennis players at Wimbledon if they have a problem with this. I doubt they do, and I in fact believe the male contestants are happy for them. We're talking 6% of over a million dollar prize here. Why would men see this as a injustice? Ridiculous. That's like me working 2 extra hours longer than you everyday but we get the same amount on our paychecks at the end of the week! That's wrong!
Author Shan2k Posted June 2, 2007 Author Posted June 2, 2007 When I seen your name as the last person who posted. I knew you were going to disagree! GIRL POWER!
InsanityImpaired Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 That's like me working 2 extra hours longer than you everyday but we get the same amount on our paychecks at the end of the week! That's wrong! Comment on the other tournaments. Comment on female football (soccer) or ice hockey players and their earnings in comparison with men. I expect more than a resounding silence, shan2k.
ilmw Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Wanna bet? You didn't do what I am thinking .. did you??...
This_Too_Shall_Pass Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 I fail to understand why there is even a need to debate whether women should be getting equal pay. The answer is "yes". Women are entitled to (and should be getting) equal pay, whether it's playing tennis or lifting weights or being porn stars. In my eyes, rewards of any sort should be based on merit, and that's that. Coming back to tennis, the women players are much more successful in a way, they get the best endorsement contracts. I mean, not many would drool over Roger Federer's legs. But Sharapova can bring men to their knees if her skirt rode up a couple of inches.
Trialbyfire Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 You didn't do what I am thinking .. did you??... Since there was such a surplus of sperm generation, I thought I was helping. From his corresponding scream...maybe not... Can't fault a wife for trying to help her man...
ilmw Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Since there was such a surplus of sperm generation, I thought I was helping. From his corresponding scream...maybe not... Can't fault a wife for trying to help her man... and here...I though you were this demure... little fawn... who would not hurt a petal on a flower.......:laugh:
Author Shan2k Posted June 2, 2007 Author Posted June 2, 2007 Comment on the other tournaments. Comment on female football (soccer) or ice hockey players and their earnings in comparison with men. I expect more than a resounding silence, shan2k. Another Feminist out for fair, if not, more unfairness for men. You just see with your feminist heart. Best of 3, Best of 5???? Just work the guys to death because they're men!! And it's not our fault that no one is interested in female football (soccer) or ice hockey. I expect more than you avoiding the obvious InsanityImpaired.
Trialbyfire Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 and here...I though you were this demure... little fawn... who would not hurt a petal on a flower.......:laugh: Hahaha...right. Somehow I doubt that. I maybe small but demure or passive I'm not... Okay, 'nuff highjacking, now be good ilmw. To illustrate what I suggested for payscale, lets use commission salespeople as examples. Salesman M generates $100,000 in revenue in 40 hours and Salesman W generates $100,000 in revenue in 10 hours. Commission is based on 10% of gross revenue. Both Salesman M and W will be paid $10,000 but as you can see, it took Salesman W far less time and effort. Btw, Salesman W is the female tennis player.
InsanityImpaired Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Another Feminist out for fair, if not, more unfairness for men. You just see with your feminist heart. You know nothing of me - so quit making assumptions. And it's not our fault that no one is interested in female football (soccer) or ice hockey. Apparently that is irrelevant, as per your argument: More work equals more pay in your book, so equal work should at least equal less inequal pay (equal pay?). But of course, you are not willing to address that issue... And as I told (but you undoubtedly cannot be bothered to get the information) compare the prize-money for the non-GS tournaments. And you will see that men - even when playing best of 3 - are making more money for the same amount of sets. And then you are silent again.
champagne Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Okay, time to get serious about this topic. Winnings should be based on a percentage of corresponding earnings. Earnings should be based on both attendance at matches and income derived from media coverage. I don't personally care which gender gets more, as long as it's based on the same rule of thumb. I was serious about the topic.
Trialbyfire Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 I was serious about the topic. I wasn't referring to you.
ilmw Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is unfair! I feel they used the women's liberationist to help support this “money hungry” act. The guys play best out of 5 and the women play best out of 3! It would be more obvious for the women to get more draw because of all the endorsement and publicity they've been getting in entertainment than the men. The William's sisters, who revolutionize tennis for African Americans, and Anna Kournikova whose celebrity fame has drew in crowds. But the men play more games. And that's discrimination again the men. I don't really follow tennis.. so this is a question based on my ignorance.. the other major tennis tournaments.. do you know if the game ratio is the same in those... where the winning are on par between men/woman?
alphamale Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Btw, Salesman W is the female tennis player. yea but the reality is that salesman W only generated $5,000 in revenue in 10 hours cause few people watch womens tennis.
champagne Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 The actual number of sets doesn't really matter. There is simply a different set of rules for professional women's tennis based upon the physical differences in their bodies. The woman is working physically just as hard as the man by playing three sets. It is the same reason that in gymnastics there are different events for men and women, based on their body's capabilities. (example - uneven bars for women, one bar thing for men, sorry the event name escapes me.)
Author Shan2k Posted June 2, 2007 Author Posted June 2, 2007 I just don't agree. What if Sales W starts to generate $100,000 in 60 hour within the next 5 year in addition, best of 3. Should she still get paid equal to the man? I thought this was a sport anyway. I guess this is no different from a man and woman having the same intense laboring position but he's doing more backbreaking work, yet they still get paid equally. I say give the women best of 5!
Trialbyfire Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 yea but the reality is that salesman W only generated $5,000 in revenue in 10 hours cause few people watch womens tennis. Do you have stats to back that up? Times have changed since Billy Jean King.
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