The record-breaking IPL deal for Mitchell Starc unveils a stark reality into the scope of gender pay differences. Starc’s earnings per 10 deliveries in the IPL surpass the total earnings his significant other, Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, Alyssa Healy, will receive throughout the entire Women’s Premier League. This underscores a significant and disheartening aspect of gender pay disparities, an evil that needs to be eradicated soon.
In the world of sports, the issue of gender pay disparity hits close to home for many athletes. Female sports stars, despite their incredible achievements and dedication, often find themselves facing significant gaps in pay compared to their male counterparts. It’s a real challenge, not just about the money – it’s about recognition, respect, and the value placed on their hard work. The Mitchell Starc-Alyssa Healy example is just one instance of it.
Mitchell Starc to earn 7.3L per ball per ball in IPL 2024:
During the IPL 2024 Auction, Mitchell Starc who is returning to the stage after 8 years, scripted history becoming the highest-bidded player when KKR roped him in for a staggering Rs 27.4 Cr. With that amount, Starc is set to earn about Rs 7.3L per delivery if he plays the 14 matches, while his significant other Alyssa Healy signing for UP Warriorz in WPL, will earn just Rs 70L for the entirety of the season.
While BCCI and other boards have advocated for equal pay in the Men’s and Women’s teams, the same for the franchise-based league is far from happening. In a rather high for Women’s game, WPL have seen a staggering amount of Rs 4,669 crore pouring in, which however is nothing compared to Men’s.
Alyssa Healy on Gender pay differences in 2019:
In 2019, Alyssa Healy expressed her understanding of the gender pay gap in cricket while remaining optimistic about the women’s game striving for equal pay. Speaking in an interview with Nine’s 60 Minutes, alongside her husband Mitchell Starc, Healy acknowledged the current dominance of revenue generation by the men’s team.
“I’m realistic in saying that it’s the men’s team who are bringing in most of the money,” Healy stated. “And they deserve the amount of money that they’re getting, while we keep building our game. I’ve got no doubt that one day the women’s game will do exactly the same. There are more opportunities for young girls and older girls like me to go out and play for their country and actually get paid for what we’re doing. So I think that’s pretty special.”
Starc, when questioned about the pay difference, took a diplomatic stance, emphasizing that the determination of pay for both genders lies with Cricket Australia. “It’s not for me to determine what I get paid and what she gets paid. That’s up to Cricket Australia,” he remarked.
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