“Equal pay” debate: Good performance can only be achieved with good framework conditions

A tweet from Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the response from DFB director Oliver Bierhoff have given the “equal pay” debate in sport new fuel. That’s a good thing, according to ARD sports reporter Martina Knief. The discussion about equal pay for footballers is primarily about fair recognition of sporting achievements.

It’s good that money is being talked about, about equal pay. Because this will trigger a debate that is about much more than equal pay for footballers.

Neither Merle Frohms nor Alexandra Popp have ever demanded the same million salaries as Manuel Neuer or Thomas Müller receive, nor the same high bonuses from the German Football Association for a European championship title. Everyone was satisfied with the negotiated EM record bonus of 60,000 euros.

Minimum wage would make it possible to focus on sport

It’s about the recognition of performance – about framework conditions so that good performance can be shown. Yes, that includes the money. A soccer player who earns enough no longer has to work part-time to make a living. She can fully concentrate on her sport.

But we’re talking about a minimum wage for professional players in the clubs, over 3,000 euros a month or maybe a little more. Let’s put a number for comparison: Dzsenifer Marozsan, currently an injured midfielder in the German national team, is paid 350,000 euros a year by Champions League winners Olympique Lyon. No German national player earns more.

Good performance should be rewarded accordingly

The debate is also about training grounds, physiotherapy, about the optimal conditions in everyday life for a professional athlete. This also includes not having to hope that the parents will settle the account at the end of the month. And it’s about the recognition and a fair assessment of sporting achievements. Of course, these will be better if each individual player can concentrate on their sport. That’s what it’s all about – and of course performance should be rewarded accordingly.

A lot can be done with money

But first pouring a lot of money into it and then hoping that a European championship title will come out of it, that’s the wrong way. Money doesn’t score goals. But money can do a lot. Money can help women footballers to develop much better and create a base.

It’s a shame that we still have to have these discussions with eight-time European champions Germany. If these hurdles are finally overcome, then the discussion about “equal pay” will bring a great deal.