ABSTRACT
This chapter clearly illustrates the history-and-biography perspective, that though distinctly talented, athletes in these six pro leagues are pursuing their sports in historical settings that make them structurally vulnerable, perhaps even unable to earn a living. Most of the salary issues involve individual leagues and their separate struggles, but in one modern instance, a comparison of female and male salaries in the same sport has been highlighted. In April 2017 the women’s national soccer team reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation, providing a sharp increase in compensation and benefits and covering five years, including the 2019 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics. The chapter presents material that demonstrates how structurally vulnerable players in these leagues have adjusted to their often challenging careers. Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) league has proved quite successful, though through the years it has encountered many struggles.
