The gender earnings gap among elite athletes in semi-professional sports

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research question This study examines gender differences in human capital, performance characteristics, and earnings among elite athletes in semi-professional sports in Germany. Research methods In 2018, a nationwide online survey of elite athletes supported by the German Sports Aid Foundation was conducted where they were asked about their life and earnings situation (n = 1064). Regression analyses were estimated to identify the role of gender while controlling for human capital and performance characteristics. Results and findings The results showed a significant gender earnings gap in favor of male athletes for annual earnings and calculatory wage rate. This gap is mainly driven by gender differences in earnings from work and public sport funding, while financial support from the German Sports Aid Foundation and from family/friends attenuated the gap. The results can be explained by treatment discrimination and male athletes’ preferences for current work, while female athletes invested significantly more time into studying/learning and their human capital, respectively. Implications The findings have implications for funding institutions as well as people involved in supporting elite athletes in semi-professional sports. Research contribution Since earnings data are typically not publicly available, this study relies on unique data to examine athletes’ earnings taking a gender perspective.