That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?” Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men - such as playing with a lighter ball. It’s here that I like to remind you of his astounding remarks made back in 2004.īBC Sport, at the time, quoted Blatter who offered the following on increasing the sport’s popularity: “Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Sepp Blatter, while enjoying a tenuous hold on power, continues to sit at the head of the organization.

The disparity in winnings may be cavernous, but the women’s game is closing the gap when it comes to viewers-at least in this country.Īwful Announcing reports the women’s 2015 final drew 26.67 million viewers compared to the 26.5 million that tuned into the 2014 World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina.īut let’s forget ratings and money, because FIFA has offered more than monetary affronts. But male athletes and their leagues have enjoyed decades of support and promotion, while women’s sports have only recently been awarded some degree of legitimacy.” ThinkProgress’ Kiley Kroh, in delving deep into the issue, explained, “The common justification for unequal pay is markets - men’s sports are more popular, more marketable, and thus more valuable. Of course I’m comparing magnificent apples to resplendent oranges when you consider revenue and ratings. Women’s National Team took home $2 million for its World Cup win this summer, compared to the $35 million Germany enjoyed in winning the men’s 2014 World Cup. However, I can’t help but pump the brakes just a little, because while the video game version evolves the actual sport continues to pepper its female athletes with one disservice after another.Īccording to CNN, the U.S. It would seem that it’s time to pop the champagne and celebrate the turning of an important corner in football fandom.

Fifa 16 cover