The University of North Texas athletics program consisted of 441 student athletes, in 2016, 56 percent of which were female athletes. Unlike many Division 1 universities, North Texas’ sports teams are dominated by women’s sports, where a total of 8 belong to women and only 4 to men. Even though male sports make up a third of the athletics at North Texas, the women only receive around 73 percent of the financial aid compared to men.

     Not only are the female athletes receiving less money than male athletes, the men’s teams head coaches made an average of $178,138, while the women’s head coaches averaged $57,741. The women athletes and coaches make up a majority of the North Texas athletics program, yet the funding for them are lacking.

     “Female athletes, as well as coaches, are significantly undervalued,” freshman and shot put record holder, Haley Walker said.

     Although the women’s sports seem to be undervalued at North Texas, the women’s only bring in $6 million in revenue while men’s sports earn $10 million. The correlation of revenue and funding may be the reason for the gender disparity.

     University president Neal Smatresk has often said, ”I am proud to be a part of this incredibly diverse, vibrant and caring community,” in addresses to the student body through twitter and emails.

     North Texas takes pride in the diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, but they somehow seem to be overlooking the wage gap and scholarship inequality in sports. This issue has always been a major issue in the media and sports industry as well, North Texas is not alone in this matter.

Gender Inequality in Sports

     Male athletes and coaches sign multimillion dollar contracts while female athletes rarely make more than $100 thousand annually. The lack of value is universal and it must come to an end universally. The issue, being as deep-seeded as it is, depends on many variables in order to close such a gap.

     In order to do so there must be an increase in revenue, which is a direct result of an increase in attendance. Women’s sports lack popularity and awareness on campus and within the media.

     “I feel like we have always and will always have gender inequality in sports,” Walker said.