Professionalism in women's association football

Not to be confused with professionalism in association football as played by men.
Sam Kerr is reportedly one of the highest-paid professional women's association footballers in the world, earning more than US$500,000 per year as of 14 March 2023.[1] When she played in the NWSL in 2013, the maximum allowed salary was $30,000.[2]

Like men's association football, women's football had amateur origins, but faced bans in several nations that slowed its growth and professionalization compared to professionalism in the men's sport. Growth in the women's league game intensified since the end of the 20th century alongside the profile of the FIFA Women's World Cup introduced in 1991.[3]

  1. ^ Gorostieta, Diego (14 March 2023). "Who are the highest-paid women's soccer players in the world?". Diario AS. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  2. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (11 May 2021). "NWSL minimum and maximum salaries, team caps each rise 5-10% in 2021". The Equalizer. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  3. ^ Bell, Jack (20 July 2011). "After World Cup, a League's Smaller Stage". Goal. The New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2023.