Soccer phenom Hope Solo is an outspoken advocate for the gender pay gap in sports. Along with her U.S. Soccer teammates she is advocating for equal pay in the league. Cheddar's Hope King spoke with the athlete about challenges facing women in sports, and how she is inspiring the next generation.
"Being the best in the world--the best soccer player in the world in my position--I still wasn't making a good enough living so I had to supplement my income," says Solo. "When you're the best in the world as a female I still am forced to make these choices that I don't want to have to make. It's a serious issue that present day athletes are facing every single day."
The gender pay gap in professional soccer is staggering. In 2016 male players won about $390,000 in bonuses for winning the World Cup, compared to $75,000 for female players according to a study by The New York Times.
"We have progressed, but at some point when it's simply not equal we can't keep talking about well it's better. Because better is not good enough," said Solo.
The Las Vegas Aces became the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back WNBA championships, getting 24 points and 16 rebounds from A’ja Wilson and a defensive stop in the closing seconds to beat the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals.
American officials expressed disappointment Monday after learning that bobsled, skeleton and luge events will not be held in Italy during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, a move that means athletes from those sports will likely be competing in either Austria or Switzerland during the games.
