This year marks the 37th annual celebration of Women’s History Month, so what does the world of women in sports look like today?
At the professional level, last February marked the second consecutive year in which no female athletes were included in Sportico’s list of the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world.
The 2025 Women’s History theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” this statistic might be discouraging for aspiring female athletes. Still, LSU softball head coach Beth Torina reminds them that it’s all about their love for the sport that keeps her players moving.
“Female sports shine in their own light, and all the young fans are motivated by these athletes and their love of the sport,” Torina told the Reveille. “We are in a sport that’s coming into more spotlight, and these girls [her players] aren’t worried about the money. They are doing it for the love of the game.”
Regarding the younger female audience for sports like LSU gymnastics, athletes like Konnor McClain need to do their best in their sport for themselves and their fans.
“Even though we aren’t women in the top 100,” the all-around sophomore said, “We’re doing our job, trying to inspire those young girls, to inspire them to keep going.”
The last time a woman was featured on the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world list was in 2022. Professional tennis player Naomi Osaka ranked No. 20 with $53.2 million in earnings, followed by No. 52 Serena Williams, who earned $35.3 million that year.
Despite lacking women in the top 100, Sportico compiled a list of the highest-paid female athletes of 2024. It was reported that 11 women made at least $10 million in the past year, while only six women did so in 2023.
Coco Gauff was the highest-paid female athlete, with a $9.4 million salary and $21 million worth of endorsements. This list also includes athletes like Simone Biles and Caitlin Clark, each earning up to $11 million in endorsements.
While some fans might find the revenue comparison between male and female professional athletes disappointing, women still work in the sporting industry in many ways.
Actor and sports enthusiast Whoopi Goldberg played a massive role in women’s sports last year by launching All Women’s Sports Network, a sporting network that covers, you guessed it, women’s sports.
“This month and every month, we’re celebrating the power, resilience and brilliance of women in sports,” Goldberg said in a video posted on March 6. “Women’s sports are stronger than ever because when she wins, we all win.”
In addition to Goldberg’s contribution, Monarch Collective, a fund dedicated to women’s athletics, recently made $100 million worth of investments, expanding last year’s starting fund of $150 million, as reported by Sportico.
Brands like Mattel, which strive to appeal to younger audiences through Barbie products, continue to honor female athletes at the collegiate level.
2024 Olympic gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey received their own Barbie dolls styled after them to celebrate International Women’s Day this year.
“That’s just a little kid’s dream come true,” People Magazine reported. “Jordan and I have definitely experienced what can come from our friendship and how much easier a journey can be together. So, I’m just really honored to be a part of this day with Barbie.”
But how are things going for the Tigers?
LSU athletics reported in an Instagram post that each women’s spring sports team, including softball, gymnastics and women’s basketball, are ranked within the top 20 of their respective sports.
No. 2 gymnastics is on its way to the SEC Championships next weekend, looking to continue its purple reign after winning last year’s tournament title.
As the team gears up to travel to Birmingham, the Tigers are celebrating its most recent victory against Georgia, where it set a program record and season-high score across the nation.
Competing in that night’s lineup was all-around senior Aleah Finnegan, who received the first perfect ten for the Tigers on the balance beam.
“She’s one of the best teammates and the best friends that you could ever ask for,” LSU gymnast Sierra Ballard said about her teammate. “She’s always going to give you 100%, and she’s going to do that with her gymnastics as well.
With women’s sports as a burning topic in today’s world, there’s always something exciting to be found everywhere you look, so whether you’re tuning into the Tigers or your favorite professional team, there’s never a loss of entertainment regarding female athletics.
