Jennifer B. Cutler: The US Women's National Team vs. USA Hockey

I do have to say both men and women hockey players representing their country's should be paid equally, (or given the same amount the of air time) I'd even like to see women in the NHL. If they can play and take what comes with the game why not.

In the artcles provided, it appears both sides are being less then upfront about the finances. Example, the money discussed is the USA hockey money alotted, but the women are not Referencing the USOC money paid to the athletes, which is much more substantial, and every year.

To me, the real item is just the program itself, meaning more games, equipment, and/or youth team money.

I love women's hockey.

I love women's hockey.

- verwustung

Same

The USA is still a capitalistic country. As soon as the women generate the same revenue as the men do, they will be paid the same.

There are sports in which the women out earn the men, because they are more popular, and generate more revenue. Gymnastics, figure skating and beach volleyball are a few that come to mind.

And there are many Olympic sports that receive less that the women hockey players do. Rowing, water polo, judo, boxing, archery, etc.

The USA is still a capitalistic country. As soon as the women generate the same revenue as the men do, they will be paid the same.

There are sports in which the women out earn the men, because they are more popular, and generate more revenue. Gymnastics, figure skating and beach volleyball are a few that come to mind.

And there are many Olympic sports that receive less that the women hockey players do. Rowing, water polo, judo, boxing, archery, etc.
- scottak

From everything I've heard, the Women's Soccer team actually generates more than the Men's, but they are paid less. So while I agree with the principle, sometimes the pay disparity isn't explained by capitalism.

For hockey, I haven't heard anything suggesting the national team development program directly generates any more than women's national team does, but gets a lot more funding. However, logically that's probably explained by the development program getting donations from NHL guys who went through it.

Jennifer, Great article , Pay the Women !!! Sorry USA Hockey you are dead wrong! equal pay lets go !!

I have tried to find numbers on this but have found nothing (not that I've spent all that much time looking). Until we get these numbers we have almost nothing to argue with. We need to know the TV deals for each group including ratings (by group I mean mens vs womens teams) the game attendance (and ticket prices) of each group and the overall income form each group for USA hockey compared to the income for the players. The "from" in the last one is most important.

I'm for equal pay like most people. But not equal for the sake of equal. It needs to be equal based on the actual numbers. If the men get x% from of what they make in income for USA hockey and women get y% that is not equal. But if men and women are both getting x% and that means women don't make very much because of it then it is not unfair at all. That's truly equal. If that is the case then maybe women's hockey is not sustainable and should be dropped by USA hockey. If they start getting the same percentage and the organization doesn't have enough money to sustain it they should probably drop it. It would suck but why should they lose money for this?