Lifestyle From ban to boom: the meteoric rise of women’s football from #Included committee Date 25 July 2025 Reading time 5 minutes Share this page Share this article linkedin facebook whatsapp via email close copy url At a glance Women’s football has surged after a 51-year FA ban to sold-out stadiums and projected revenues of €128m for Euro 2025, more than double Euro 2022 Global women’s elite sports revenues are set to reach £1.88 billion in 2025, with private investors, brands and broadcaster
Ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round because we need to talk about the latest news in women’s football. Spoiler alert: it’s not all rainbows and dollar signs. According to a new survey from Fifpro, while women’s football is on track to become a billion-dollar industry, many professional players are still struggling to make ends meet. Yes, you heard that right. We’re talking about a sport that’s raking in the cash, yet the athletes are still living like they’re in a college dorm eating ramen noodles.
So, what gives? Well, the Fifpro survey reveals a shocking reality: many female footballers are earning low wages, stuck in precarious contracts, and facing an alarming rise in psychological stress. It’s almost as if the universe decided to sprinkle a little irony on this billion-dollar boom. Picture this: stadiums packed with fans, merchandise flying off the shelves, and yet the players are still worrying about how to pay their rent.
Let’s dive into the details. First off, the financial side of things. While the sport itself is booming, the earnings of female players haven’t quite caught up. Some players are still earning a fraction of what their male counterparts make, which is enough to make you want to throw your remote at the TV, right? It’s like watching a game where the referees are clearly biased, and you’re just sitting there, popcorn in hand, thinking, “This isn’t fair!”
Now, on to the contracts. Many players find themselves in insecure situations, which is basically code for ‘you might be out of a job next week, so good luck with that.’ Having a stable contract is crucial for any athlete, but for women in football, it’s like trying to find a unicorn in a haystack. And we all know how elusive unicorns can be.
And let’s not forget about the psychological stress. The pressures of performance, combined with financial instability, can lead to a mental health crisis that no one seems to be talking about. Players are facing burnout and anxiety, and some are even considering early retirement. Imagine dedicating your life to a sport, only to be forced to hang up your boots because you can’t handle the pressure. It’s like being put in a game where the stakes are high, but the rewards are low.
So, what’s the solution? Well, that’s a million-dollar question—literally. It’s going to take a collective effort from leagues, sponsors, and even fans to ensure that these players are compensated fairly and treated with the respect they deserve. After all, they’re the ones putting on the show, right?
In conclusion, while we can all get excited about the billion-dollar boom in women’s football, let’s not forget the real players behind the scenes. They deserve better than low wages and insecure contracts. It’s time for the industry to step up and ensure that the women who are making this sport thrive are rewarded accordingly. Because if they’re not, we might as well be watching a game where the referees are still biased—and nobody wants that. Let’s keep the conversation going and push for change in women’s football. Because if we don’t, we might just end up with a billion-dollar boom that leaves a whole lot of players behind.
Inspired by: “Women’s billion-dollar boom leaves players behind, says Fifpro” (r/World)