Prize money for the AFLW will almost double in the coming season, bringing it in line with the men’s competition for the first time. The AFL announced on Monday the financial rewards in season eight of the women’s league will rise from $634,000 to $1.1m, to be split among the top eight teams.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon described it as a “great announcement”. “We have two of the best sporting competitions in the country,” he said. “I am pleased to be able to announce equal players prize money for both our elite AFL and AFLW competitions.”
AFL men’s competition prize money in 2022 was $1.1m, split between the top four teams. The rewards pot remains the same in 2023.
AFL Players Association chief executive, Paul Marsh, said it was a positive step, but more needs to be done to support women’s players. “The AFL has been in discussions with us about this and we’re supportive,” he said. “However, this is only a small piece of a much larger puzzle.”
The AFL and players are currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). “Through negotiations with the AFL for a new CBA for all AFL and AFLW players, further opportunities exist to grow and develop AFLW and, in doing so, the whole industry,” Marsh said. “This initiative doesn’t come as a substitute for the outcomes we’re seeking but it is a positive step towards them.”
The AFL enters its final regular-season round this weekend, and the AFLW starts its eighth season on Friday 1 September with a clash between premiers Melbourne and Collingwood.
The Matildas shone a spotlight on unequal prize money between men’s and women’s competitions last month, just prior to the Women’s World Cup.
The total prize pot for the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand was $172m, triple compared to the 2019 World Cup in France. Spain received $6.7m as the victorious federation, in addition to the $422,000 paid to each player. Each of the Matildas received $258,000 for finishing fourth in the tournament, and Football Australia was given $3.8m.
Money in the Women’s World Cup pales in comparison to the rewards in the men’s game. At their World Cup in Qatar last year, $687m was awarded – four times the amount in the women’s tournament. The victorious Argentinians were given $65m, which was then split among the federation and players. Even the nations that exited at the group stage took home close to $14m.
Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, told the Fifa congress in March its ambition was to have equality in payments for the 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cup.
Last month the International Cricket Council announced women’s teams will be awarded the same prize money as their male counterparts at major international tournaments from now on.
In the Olympics and Paralympics, all athletes in Australian teams are given $20,000 for a gold medal, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze.
In Australia, the NRL’s premiers reportedly receive $800,000, and the minor premiers $200,000. Prize money for NRLW – and future NRL competitions – is currently being negotiated as part of the sport’s new CBA. In rugby league, the prize money is shared between the winning club and its players.
The A-Leagues have traditionally not offered prize money for competition winners.
AFL and AFLW teams will also compete for the McClelland Trophy and another $1m in prize money, based on the combined results of a club’s men’s and women’s teams. AFLW wins are counted for double due to the shorter season duration.
