Equitable Wages?

Question

Should college football coaches be paid the same as college volleyball coaches? Should female basketball players in the Women's National Basketball Association be paid the same as their male counterparts in the National Basketball Association? Should men and women be paid the same salaries in every job, or just some? That is, are their jobs of comparable worth? What role should market forces and government in the United States play in determining wages?

Answer 1

No, wages should not be equitable--people should be paid what they are worth. Players in the NBA earn more than their female counterparts in the WNBA because the NBA has a larger fanbase, they pack the stadiums with more people, their TV contracts earn more money, the merchandising brings in more money--the players, therefore, are worth more. True, too, college basketball is a bigger industry than college volleyball. But, that doesn't mean women always earn less. Female supermodels earn more than male models, and it's the same reason as I stated earlier--they bring in more money, so they're worth more, plain and simple. Wages are (and should be) determined by market forces, not the government. When government artifically props up wages, it's nothing more than a subsidy that tax payers ultimately pay for.

Answer 2

How much money is brought to a University via football compared to volleyball? Football, and men's basketball to a lesser extend depending on the school, bring in enough revenue to *have* other sports.

So, if a woman was a football coach, then she would deserve the same salary as a man with the same level of experience. But, since few women play football, it is unlikely that this will happen.

The answer for women's sports is similar in that if women's sports generated as much money as men's sports, then the players and coaches should be paid on a similar scale. But, women's sports, like pro basketball, do not generate the same revenue streams as men's sports. So, the justification for equal pay is questionable.

In industries where men and women can produce equivalent product, then the scale should be the same. But, when you have no idea what everyone around you makes, it is difficult to negotiate effectively.

Answer 3

Women coaches paid the same? No and I'll tell you why....it's easy to think the answer is yes based on equal rights but that isn't how these things came to be. Understand that professional sports and college sports are revenue generators for universities and owners (pro sports) as well as all sponsors. Take your basketball example for instance, ever look at the crowds at the NBA versus the WNBA? Millions of viewers tune into NBA games and especially play-offs generating HUGE sums of money by way of ticket sales and endorsements since exposure is guaranteed. The WNBA can't come close to 25% of the total number of attendees or viewers at home compared to NBA (and I hate basketball so I'm not biased!). Therefore it's trickle down economics. The more money there is coming in, the more money there is to pass down to coaches, players, trainers, and so on.

The Government is screwing so many things up in this country and abroad that the last thing I would ever want to see is bureaucracy in the workplace. That would take us one step closer to communism. Should they tell you to practice a certain religion too if there are telling you what your work is worth?

Answer 4

Performance and value should guide salaries.

College football brings in more money (directly and indirectly) than college volleyball, so the football coach gets more (and should get more). Same thing for professional players and coaches.

WNBA players make less than the NBA because the WNBA makes far less money.

However, that said, if you have 2 people with the exact same qualifications and performance, with all other things being equal, yet one is male, and one is female, then they should make the same wage.

The government should avoid meddling in the setting of wages, except for public employees and in a minimum wage.

Answer 5

In regards to paying a male and female in the SAME position with the SAME Responsibilities the SAME WAGE -- YES!!!!!! As far as 'entertainment' venues -- they are ALREADY out in the stratosphere -- and unaffordable to the average wage-earner (meaning -- the value of a Scientist is a fraction of the professional sports player - is that FAIR or Equitable -- NO WAY -- the Productive Ability of the Scientist is FAR IN EXCESS of their wages -- and the sports player is being paid wages FAR IN EXCESS of their productive ability).

Should it be a role of Government to be a player in the Wages or setting of Wages -- Specifically for each career field or position -- NO! But as a matter of making sure that folks in the SAME position, with the SAME responsibility and the SAME productive output -- YES, they SHOULD be paid the same wages.

Answer 6

hmm sounds like we are in an economics class and doing homework eh? that is really your opinion, but based on the fact that ours is a free market system, you need to look at the reason why people are being paid so. The demand of their talent, and the popularity of their sport is what determines their wages, and altering them would be the government putting a price cap or price floor on wages. In the past, this is unsuccessful, and it undermines the idea of a free pricing system.

Answer 7

should males do the homework of females?

Answer 8

no