Salary gap in US university leagues

The salary gap between male and female athletes in the United States has been a topic of discussion for many years. This undergraduate dissertation examines the salary gap within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the sports of basketball, soccer, and baseball. The study analyses data from the NCAA, including player salaries and revenue generated by each sport. The data was collected from the years 2010 to 2020 and was used to calculate the gender wage gap within each sport. The results show that there is a significant gender wage gap in all three sports. In basketball (NCAA, 2020), the average salary for male players is $119,585, while female players earn an average of $33,000. Similarly, in soccer (NCAA, 2020), male players earn an average of $44,750, while female players earn an average of $8,000. In baseball (NCAA, 2020), male players earn an average of $13,200, while female players earn an average of $5,000. The study also found that the revenue generated by each sport has a significant impact on the salary gap. In sports where there is a higher revenue, such as basketball and soccer, the gender wage gap is wider. This suggests that the gender wage gap is not just a result of discrimination but is also influenced by the economic forces at play within each sport. The dissertation concludes that there is a need for further action to address the gender wage gap in these sports. This could include implementing policies that ensure equal pay for equal work, increasing the visibility and support for female athletes, and addressing the underlying economic factors that contribute to the wage gap. In summary, this thesis highlights the significant gender wage gap in basketball, soccer, and baseball within the NCAA. The study provides valuable insights into the underlying factors that contribute to this gap and underscores the need for action to address this issue to promote gender equality within sports.