Equal pay in football is one thing, but fair prize money is much harder to achieve

Staff Writer

After the stunning success of the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, continued calls for equal pay rang loudly across the globe.

The tournament took the women’s game into the stratosphere. Broadcast wise, the numbers were astonishing, stadium attendance was superb and the football played impressive. The growth in women’s football at the elite level has a momentum unparalleled by any other global sport and the process of guiding the game through that growth is an important one that must be overseen astutely.

Australia’s national women’s team, the Matildas, will play a key role in the short term future of football, as one of the top ten nations in the female game. With a significant portion of the national squad now plying their trade in the FA Women’s Super League in the UK, their personal development as footballers appears limitless.

The Super League has attracted the best of the best from around the world and appears likely to become similar to the EPL in terms of the quality of play and the financial remuneration available to players.

It is that financial remuneration that has been a hot topic in recent days, with news surfacing the England’s FA have been paying the exact same amount in match fees and bonuses to its men’s and women’s teams since January 2020. The Brazilian Football Confederation has confirmed that a similar parity has been occurring since March and the ground breaking collective bargaining agreement announced in November 2019, saw Australia’s elite female players earn true equity in pay and conditions.

That agreement saw Matilda salaries increase to around A$100,000, in line with their male counterparts, whilst also increasing their share of revenue generated from national team play.

No doubt, more and more countries around the globe will follow suit in the short to medium term and by the time the world gathers in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 for the next edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, it is highly likely that true pay equality will be universally in existence for all the squads competing.

Sadly for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) the road to financial parity has been a less than simple and uncontroversial one. A March 2019 court proceeding seeking US$100 million was tossed from the court room by a federal judge, citing the team’s original decision to reject the payment structure adopted by the men’s team and their subsequent dissatisfaction with that choice.

Taking legal action retroactively once the error of their way became clear was frowned upon by the judge, yet claims that the medical treatment and travel support offered to the squad were inadequate, will indeed see the USWNT have their day in court in the near future.

No doubt the USWNT’s situation will be resolved in due course and wages and conditions set in line with those provided for the men’s team, however the best female players in the world will still be well behind males when it comes to the potential financial windfall they can take from the game they love.

At the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the USWNT received $4 million for its victory. Each participating team was given $750,000 for playing in the group stage, with bonus funds due the further a nation progressed through the tournament. Overall, FIFA allocated $30 million to the event, a smallish figure when compared to the $400 million paid to the teams participating at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

National federations receive the funds and dole out the money as they see fit and this is where the next discussion around the reimbursement of female players will lie. Whilst the Matildas are pleased with their negotiated 30 per cent share of prize money, such an agreement does not exist for most women’s national teams.

Some might argue that if FIFA’s total investment in the Women’s World Cup was around seven per cent of the $400 million spent on the men’s tournament, then the share of prize money allocated to female participants should be at around the same rate.

However, FIFA makes little distinction between the two tournaments, claiming revenue cannot be split among all FIFA events, as broadcast and corporate arrangements are agreed to as a complete package. Thus, a discussion around the value of the women who play the game at the highest level and the share of the purse they should earn will be the next step in the path to true pay equality.

Australia has pioneered that path and will look to lead the rest of the world when it comes to ensuring that the current and future generation of Matildas is compensated fairly; not only via salaries and match payments, but also through the allocation of prize money awarded for the entertainment they provide and any success they have on the pitch.

 

 

 

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Inside the Convention That Could Reshape Football Across Australia

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Collaboration as strength: When stakeholders align, the game benefits at every level. Other member federations should take note, be receptive to change, and support policies grounded in the realities of football.

The 2025 Football Queensland Convention was more than just a gathering. It was a statement about what football in Australia can achieve when clubs, businesses, and government come together in one room. It was an opportunity to elevate the debate around the sport’s future and move conversations beyond day-to-day operations. For an industry often focused on immediate results, the convention provided a rare chance to pause, reflect, and plan for long-term growth.

Over two days, coaches, administrators, industry leaders, and players came together to discuss governance, infrastructure, competition, and the use of technology in football. The most important message was clear: football will only grow if stakeholders work together and are willing to rethink the way the game operates at every level. Breakout sessions tailored to different roles ensured that practical challenges and innovative ideas were explored alongside broader strategic discussions.

The convention succeeded because it was inclusive. From grassroots volunteers to professional executives, everyone had a voice. The conversations reflected a cultural shift where decision-making and innovation are shared rather than reserved for a few at the top. It showed that the best solutions come from collective input and that elevating the debate across all levels of football is essential to meaningful progress.

ndustry leaders at Football Queensland 2025 Convention collaborating on the growth and governance of Australian football
Industry leaders at Football Queensland 2025 Convention collaborating on the growth and governance of Australian football

Keynote speaker Joe Schmit set a strong tone about leadership and purpose, encouraging attendees to consider the type of football culture they wanted to create. One of the most memorable contributions came from Jeehoon Kim from the Korean Football Association. He shared insights from the Made in Korea project, which aims to develop a distinctive style of Korean football. Rather than copying foreign systems, Korea is building its own identity, focusing on a technical philosophy described as fast, fearless, and focused. Players are developed through technical partnerships and youth programs that build on the nation’s strengths.

Kim’s message goes beyond player development. He highlighted that even in governance, success comes when hierarchies are removed and people are empowered to work in their areas of expertise. The project shows that a strong system is only effective if the right people are allowed to innovate and take responsibility. Whether in Korea or Queensland, football thrives when expertise is trusted to lead.

Delegates at 2025 Football Queensland Convention exploring ways to elevate Australian football through innovation and partnership
Delegates at 2025 Football Queensland Convention exploring ways to elevate Australian football through innovation and partnership

Football Queensland itself provides another example of this principle in action under CEO Rob Cavallucci. Speaking on the Soccerscene Off the Pitch Podcast, Cavallucci reflected on how the organisation addressed one of its biggest challenges: the lack of support from commercial and government sectors, which had created significant cost pressures for players and clubs.

He explained, “We made a decision five or six years ago when I became CEO and looked at how the game was structured. The main issue was the lack of support from the commercial sector and government. This meant there was always going to be significant cost pressure on the game. So we had to find a way to get on a different path.”

That path involved reforming governance and competition structures, introducing conference-based leagues, pyramid systems, and the FQ Academy pathway. The results have been impressive. Registration fees, which once made up around half of FQ’s revenue, now sit in the low twenties because the organisation has successfully maximised revenue from other sources, including corporate partnerships and government support.

Cavallucci added, “Importantly, we repositioned ourselves to appeal more to the corporate sector and government.” This approach has reduced financial pressure on players and clubs while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the game. It demonstrates how thoughtful governance, paired with strategic partnerships, can transform an entire football ecosystem.

The convention highlighted that collaboration is football’s greatest strength. When clubs, businesses, and government align around a common purpose, the benefits are felt at every level of the game. More than just addressing immediate challenges, it was an opportunity to elevate the debate, explore long-term solutions, and inspire stakeholders to work together for the wider good of the sport.

Soccerscene CEO Stace Ioannidis presenting the Editorial Creed to Football Queensland CEO Rob Cavalucci to elevate the debate in Australian football
Soccerscene CEO Stace Ioannidis presenting the Editorial Creed to Football Queensland CEO Rob Cavalucci to elevate the debate in Australian football

Other member federations would benefit from observing this approach and embracing a willingness to adapt. Receptivity to new ideas promotes stronger alignment with key stakeholders and enables policymakers to develop thoughtful, practical policies that are grounded in the realities of the game. Such a commitment to collaboration and innovation is essential for fostering a sustainable and thriving football ecosystem across Australia.

If this event is any guide, the future of football in Australia will not be defined by divisions or short-term thinking. It will be defined by connection, collaboration, and a collective belief that the best way forward is together. The 2025 Football Queensland Convention has provided a blueprint for how other states and organisations can follow suit and drive the growth of the game in Australia.

Why La Liga and Serie A’s Overseas Ambitions Miss the Mark

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Image credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

There’s something special about a home game. The walk to the ground, the echo of chants through narrow streets, and the sight of familiar faces in the stands all weave together to form football’s cultural heartbeat. It’s the essence of what makes the sport local, communal, and deeply personal.

So when a domestic league decides to move one of its regular-season fixtures to another country, it feels like a breach of that bond. La Liga’s recently cancelled plan to stage a match in Miami is a case in point, a move that was ambitious in its intent but misguided in its execution.

The proposal, initially set to feature Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami this December, was meant to mark the first time a Spanish league match would be played outside of Spain. It was to be a significant moment in La Liga’s international expansion, yet, this week, La Liga confirmed the game would no longer go ahead. 

La Liga announced the cancellation in a statement on October 22nd, stating, “the decision has been made to cancel the organisation of the event due to the uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the past few weeks.”

The explanation might sound clear and logical, but the underlying tone was clear: resistance from players, clubs, and supporters had proven too strong for the league to ignore.

Football’s global reach has never been greater, and the appetite for elite European football across North America and Asia is undeniable. But not everything that makes sense commercially aligns with what makes football special.

A home fixture isn’t just a logistical concept; it’s a symbol of identity. It represents the connection between a club and its community, between the stands and the city they inhabit. When that connection is uprooted for the sake of marketing, the league risks diminishing the very qualities that make it engaging in the first place.

It received extreme backlash…

The backlash from both fans and players was immediate and significant. Across Spain, supporters’ groups voiced anger that such a fundamental change to the league was being discussed without meaningful consultation. Many saw it as a betrayal of local supporters who invest time, money, and passion into following their clubs week after week.

Players, too, made their objections clear. Earlier this season, La Liga footballers staged coordinated on-pitch protests, pausing for 15 seconds at kick-off to highlight their frustration over the lack of dialogue and respect shown by league officials.

The Spanish players’ union publicly condemned the proposal, warning that taking competitive fixtures abroad undermines not only the integrity of the league but also the players’ physical welfare due to travel demands and congested scheduling. Together, fans and players presented a united front, a strong display of solidarity that ultimately helped force La Liga to reconsider its plans.

These objections were more than emotional reactions, they were grounded in the structural logic of sport. The home-and-away format exists to ensure fairness, balance, and authenticity. A club’s “home advantage” is not merely a cliche or superstition; it’s a reflection of support and identity. 

La Liga still chasing the Premier League’s revenue records

However, it’s easy to see why the idea was tempting. La Liga faces an uphill battle to keep up with the Premier League’s global dominance.

Broadcasting revenue gaps continue to widen, and both La Liga and Serie A are seeking creative ways to reach new audiences. The Miami match would have been a global showcase, a polished event designed to generate headlines, sponsorships, and international attention.

But if the aim is to build sustainable global engagement, staging a regular-season game overseas is the wrong mechanism. Fans abroad are not asking for borrowed fixtures; they’re asking for connection.

They want access to content, insight, and a sense of belonging, all of which can be achieved through digital outreach or pre-season tours, both of which can be done  without disrupting the league calendar.

Serie A should definitely take note. The league is awaiting conformation from FIFA for a proposed competitive league match abroad, with Italian giants AC Milan set to take on Como FC at Optus Stadium on the 8th of February, 2026.

Como FC, in a club statement released for its members, have said that the international fixture and the revenue generated from it will “help ensure survival” for the club and mentioned the enormous financial advantage in English football.  

The ambition mirrors La Liga’s idea to expand the league’s global footprint and revitalise revenue streams. Yet, the lessons from Spain are plain to see. If the goal is to grow, do so without compromising the supporters who form the league’s foundation.

Conclusion

Domestic football thrives on the local community, the ritual of weekend fixtures, the generational ties that bind fans to their clubs. When that structure is interrupted for the sake of revenue or global recognition, the game begins to lose its grounding.

That’s why the cancellation of La Liga’s Miami game should be welcomed as more than a logistical decision; it’s an important reminder that football’s heart still beats at home. It suggests that, even amid the relentless pursuit of global growth, there remains an understanding that tradition and community still matter.

Perhaps the idea of regular-season games abroad will resurface in the future, the commercial pressures will certainly persist. But when that conversation returns, it should begin with the fans, and players, not the investors. 

La Liga’s decision may have disappointed some executives and sponsors, but it has restored a small measure of balance to the sport’s ongoing tension between profit and culture

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