How Pay and Boots Reflect the World Cup Gender Gap

Told that men’s World Cup football is faster and more interesting than the women’s games, we have a gender gap.

But then this video went viral.

The World Cup Gender Pay Gap

This year was supposed to be different.

As World Cup FIFA champs, the men have been paid more than the women: But then, a U.S. court mandated equality. At $22 million, the deal required back pay. It also recognized the need for prize money “equalization.”

Beyond the U.S., though, FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino backtracked on a similar deal. He said he could not enforce FIFA’s promise to give all female players a $30,000 minimum. Instead, ignoring a $330 million gap, he suggested that “it’s a moment to focus on the positive, focus on the happiness, focus on the joy. … ”

With women moving from less than 8 cents (2019) to 25 cents for every dollar received by the men, the difference remains egregious:

Our Bottom Line: Shrink It and Pink It

To our pay issues, we can add athletic gear’s male bias. A vast majority of world class female football players say their boots are uncomfortable. Because the boots are designed for white males, the arches, big toes, and size ignore the shape of women’s feet. Especially though, women say they have heel discomfort.

According to the “Shrunk and Punk’d” podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio, women who want serious gear head for the men’s section in most stores. There though, they buy smaller versions of items made for men.

So where are we? As economists, we can return to the margin. Involving the extras that we decide to do, the margin is where we have to diminish male pay and design bias.

My sources and more: To read an update on the World Cup gender pay gap, do sign up for the Bloomberg Opinion email. Then, for up-to-date facts, CNN and NPR have the details. And finally, for the male design bias, take a look at this Harvard Report. Then, focusing on football, this BBC article is the perfect complement.