Female High-Performance Athletes are starting to get paid what they are worth

Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian’s inaugural Athlos She Runs NYC track meet launched on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in a sold-out Icahn Stadium, with tens of thousands more watching the runners on television and online.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26 - Jasmine Camacho-Quinn wins the 100m hurdles, the first event of the Athlos She Runs NYC track meet, in Icahn Stadium, on Randalls Island in Manhattan, New York City.

 

Photo used with permission of Athlos
September 26, 2024 © Kevin R Morris, all rights reserved

Building on the growing popularity of track and field in the USA, since the 2022 World Athletics Championships were held in Oregon, and following on the heels of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the time seemed right to Ohanian, to showcase female track stars.

 

He sought input from the high-performance athletes themselves to get it right.

 

“I think what they appreciated was the fact that our number one priority was making something that the athletes would say was the best meet of their lives and that meant asking them questions, taking their feedback,” said Ohanian, when speaking with LetsRunDotCom.

 

The inaugural Athlos meet featured six events, in this sequence – 100m hurdles, 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 200m.

 

This gave Brittany Brown the opportunity to compete in the 100m-200m double. Brown’s second place finish, in the 100m, combined with her victory in the 200m, earned her $85,000.

 

Only the best and fastest women in the world, at each discipline, were invited to compete. The star-studded line-up of Olympic, World Athletics and Diamond League champions and medalists did not disappoint. The ladies, like the Athlos event, professional ladies’ track meet, followed by Megan Thee Stallion’s concert, lived up to expectations.

 

Here are the winners and their times.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26 - Faith Kipyegon, winner of the 1500m, undefeated at this distance since June 21, sports her Tiffany & Co. crown.

Photo used with permission of Athlos
September 26, 2024 © Kevin R Morris, all rights reserved

 

Each victor received US$60,000 and a custom-designed Tiffany & Co. crown.

 

Additionally, “10% of all revenues from ticketing, commercial sponsorship and broadcast was redistributed to all participating athletes,” according to the Athlos website.

 

The track meet was not only exciting. It was profitable and accessible worldwide.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26 - Competitors strive to reach the 100m finish line first, in the Athlos She Runs NYC track meet. Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith won, earning US$60,000.

Brittany Brown's second place finish was worth $25,000. She added $60k with her victory in the 200m later that evening, edging out Gabby Thomas, the Olympic champion

Photo used with permission of Athlos
September 26, 2024 © Ashe Davis / ShayShotIt, all rights reserved

 

“It’s a global sport. Lots of people want to watch it. We should make it as easy as possible to watch it,” stated Ohanian, in the same LetsRunDotCom interview.

 

Three of Athlos’ broadcast partners were ESPN, YouTube and X, making She Runs NYC available to everyone on the planet with a television or an internet-connected device.

 

When run.outsideonline.com’s Abby Levene asked Ohanian why he was betting on women’s sport, he explained, “This is, first and foremost, a great investment opportunity.”

 

He continued, “The personalities of these women are so dynamic, so interesting, so varied. Once media and brands really start catching up, they’re going to find a treasure trove of personalities to invest in, storylines, brand opportunities.”

 

If Ohanian succeeds in converting last year’s viewers, including 93,000 on X, into committed Athlos supporters, he looks set to replicate the financial success that he experienced when he purchased the National Women’s Soccer League Angel City Football Club.

 

2024 may be the financial turning point for women’s sports. Male allies, like Ohanian, are bringing together the expertise, marketing and money to start levelling a heretofore uneven, gender-biased playing surface.

 

The Professional Women's Hockey League saw increasing crowds and growing fan demand for merchandise during their initial season. The PWHL exceeded their 2024 revenue projections.

 

Caitlin Clark’s popularity as an amateur athlete, was a major catalyst that inspired new attendance records, in arenas, on TV and online, increased ticket revenues and the popularity of the WNBA during their 2024 season. Several games had to be relocated to larger arenas, after fan demand sold out the original venues.

 

The Clark-Angel Reese rivalry, frequently harped on by sports journalists, added plenty of fuel to the Women's National Basketball Association flame, fanning it even brighter.

 

These two record-setting WNBA rookies, took huge pay cuts, if you compare their WNBA salaries to their college NIL (name image likeness) deals.

 

Estimated value of their NIL deals

Caitlin Clark: $3.1-3.5 million

Angel Reese: $1.8 million

 

Reese and Clark were the only two rookies who earned a spot on the Team WNBA roster for the 2024 All-Star Game. The dynamic duo temporarily extinguished the hopes of the rivalry lovers, with a high five, while teaming up to help defeat the WNBA players, who were selected to represent Team USA at the Paris Olympics.

 

During the mid 2020’s, an increasing number of American-based professional female athletes are earning a living wage. This is mainly true for the top performers in each league or sport.

 

There are still significant gender disparities in pay. Probably the most extreme case is the difference between male NBA players and female WNBA players, even though the NBA owns both leagues.

 

The minimum NBA salary was $1,157,153 during the 2024-25 season, according to Sports Illustrated.

https://www.si.com/nba/what-minimum-nba-salary-2024-25

 

WNBA salaries “range from a minimum of $66,000 to a super maximum contract of $250,000” according to Sports Illustrated.

https://www.si.com/wnba/highest-paid-wnba-players-now-and-all-time

 

American and Canadian women’s professional sports are providing more domestic opportunities for girls who dream of becoming full-time career athletes.

 

However, much more must be done to support all competitors, especially financing the developmental years of amateur high-performance athletes, until they sign their first professional contract. Significantly increased media exposure is needed for all female athletes – collegiate and pros.

 

Half of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s six inaugural teams in 2024, were based in Canadian cities – Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. The PWHL added Seattle and Vancouver in 2025.

 

The Northern Super League had its first kickoff in April 2025. It features six professional women’s soccer clubs, which play from coast to coast, in Canada. The NSL timed their launch perfectly, with the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup being jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico next year.

 

In 2025, the Golden State Valkyries became the WNBA’s first expansion team since 2008. The Toronto Tempo will hit the hard wood, in the 2026 season, with financial and marketing support from Serena Williams.

 

Serena is already using her personal brand to promote the first WNBA team outside of the USA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8vIDxKVcfs

 

Did I neglect to mention that another tennis pro, Billie Jean King, a driving force behind the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association, who fought to get women equal pay for equal work on the court, played a pivotal role in the formation of the PWHL?

 

I end with Ms. King’s words, borrowed from a CBC interview, that should apply to all women’s pro sports.

 

“Finally giving women's professional hockey players the structure, the support, and the platform they deserve — that hockey deserves. I proudly stand here celebrating these trailblazers, and the best part is we are just getting started.”

Swimming Canada’s New High Performance Centre Coach, Haley Bennett-Osborne’s Dream Comes True

Today, Swimming Canada named Haley Bennett-Osborne the new coach of Swimming Canada’s high- performance centre in Quebec.

Friday, May 23, 2025 media availability via Zoom

Her long-term goal of coaching at the national level has now become reality.

 

“It's been a dream of mine to work at a high-performance centre like this for years, and I'm honoured to be taking on this new role with Swimming Canada,” she said, during this morning’s media availability.

 

She began coaching in 2016, eventually becoming the head coach of the Qualicum Beach, British Columbia Ravensong Aquatic Club.

 

In 2022, she became her younger brother, Nicholas Bennett’s full-time swimming coach. His performances improved.

 

He became the world champion in the men’s S14 200m individual medley. The younger Bennett set a new world record (2:05.97) at the 2024 Canadian Paralympic Games trials.

 

He won three medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics -- two gold and a silver.

Canadian swimmer Nicholas Bennett wins 2nd gold of 2024 Paris Paralympics

It’s no wonder that Ryan Allen, National Coach Lead of Swimming Canada’s Paralympic Program, stated, “We are excited to welcome Haley to Swimming Canada, and very confident in what she's going to bring to the program.”

 

Bennett-Osborne joins the Quebec high-performance team, at the Olympic Park Sports Centre, which is scheduled to be fully operational in early to mid-October. It was closed after a fire in March 2024.

 

She said confidently, “I'm ready to help navigate any of the challenges that might come with reopening of the centre.”

 

“Right now, my job, or my vision, is to get as many athletes as I can that are wanting to train at the centre at the reopening.”

 

With her track record, the Paralympic Program 2024 Canadian Coach of the Year, Bennett-Osborne will have no issues attracting athletes to Quebec’s high-performance centre, especially since the province has a long-standing commitment to supporting elite athletes in all sports.

 

She is currently in her second year as head coach, at Red Deer, Alberta’s Catalina Swim Club. She, and brother Nick, will be missed when she moves to her new role in Quebec.

 

“I'm excited to bring my experience, my knowledge and passion for para swimming to Quebec and help contribute to the legacy of the high-performance centre and our para program,” said Bennett-Osborne. 

Sunshine and Rain at Bluffers Park

Looking at the weather forecast, in the Weather Network app, this morning, I was tempted to forego my drive down Brimley Road, to Bluffers Park, since it called for a small amount of rain between 6 and 8 a.m.

I went anyway, after I finished eating breakfast.

When I left home, the ground was wet, indicating that it had rained earlier.

I had a glorious, rejuvenating experience, walking in the park, situated on the edge of Lake Ontario.

While photographing a robin, I noticed a drop of water on my iPhone’s case. Suddenly, with no advance warning, the heavens opened and a light shower of rain fell.

I pulled up my hood and began walking back to my car briskly. After a few minutes, I relaxed and slackened my pace.

‘Twas indeed a beautiful day at the lake, surrounded by God’s creation.

Swans at Bluffers Park https://youtu.be/soOiPcZP8Eg?si=N_o3bRx6YFEGk4Ic

Naomi Osaka Elevates the Vision of Moms, Black and Asian Children Globally

TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 7 – Naomi Osaka takes a group selfie with fans, using a lady’s iPhone, after defeating ninth-ranked, Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-1, during first round action at the 2024 National Bank Open, at Sobeys Stadium. August 7, 2024 (Howard Bailey photo)

Every time Naomi Osaka steps onto a tennis court, she carries the hopes and dreams of thousands of Black, Asian and biracial girls and boys, on her shoulders.

Being born in Japan, to a Haitian father and Japanese mother, then living in the United States, since the age of three, influenced her understanding and appreciation of the importance of every child, seeing someone who looks like them, doing what they aspire to do, in the future.

 

“I think for me, representation is really important,” said Osaka, during a post-match press conference at Toronto’s National Bank Open tennis tournament, in August 2024.

“I know I wouldn’t be here without my role models, Serena and Venus. Just to, I guess, blaze that path for other kids is really cool,” she continued.

TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 7 – Naomi Osaka posed for a selfie with a fan, after defeating ninth-ranked, Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-1, during first round action at the 2024 National Bank Open, at Sobeys Stadium. August 7, 2024 (Howard Bailey photo)

Since giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023, Osaka also carries the aspirations of a massive number of mothers.

 

New and working moms are inspired each time that they’ve watched her return to her workplace, the tennis court, battling for every point, regardless of who she faces on the other side of the net.

TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 7 – Naomi Osaka hits a return, during first round action at the 2024 National Bank Open, on route to defeating ninth-ranked, Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-1, at Sobeys Stadium. August 7, 2024 (Howard Bailey photo)

“Since becoming a mom, I think the word ‘role model’ has always been heavy to me,” stated Osaka, during the same post-match press conference, in Toronto.

 

“But now I’m looking at kids looking at me and saying that I’m their favourite player, and knowing that they have a parent behind them, that’s kind of trusting me with that, is really huge.”

 

Osaka carries her new responsibilities well, continuing to model excellence for her admiring fans, many of whom are mothers and children.

TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 7 – Naomi Osaka takes a selfie with a fan, using the lady’s iPhone, after defeating ninth-ranked, Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-1, during first round action at the 2024 National Bank Open, at Sobeys Stadium. August 7, 2024 (Howard Bailey photo)

They have watched her work through challenging situations, on and off the court.

 

“Today, while I was signing autographs, a mom talked to me, and she said that she was having a tough time, and something that I said on court really helped her out,” Osaka stated.

 

“I still feel like I’m figuring myself out, so I’m always a little shocked when someone says that something that I’ve said or done has helped them out, but I really treasure that a lot. I think we’re all just trying to get through it, and we’re all just trying to find the best way that we know how and, yeah, it’s a really big honour for me.”

 

Osaka’s 2024 New Year’s Day tweet resonated with over 300,000 people.

“Dear moms,

Everybody and every body is different. Don’t compare yourself to

anyone, you’re beautiful and you’re loved ❤️”

https://x.com/naomiosaka/status/1741929890189107633

 

Her reach truly is universal. She understands and empathizes with the challenges and expectations that many of today’s mothers face, regardless of their ethnicity, their socioeconomic background or nationality.

 

Currently ranked No. 42, Osaka’s battle to regain the poise, form and consistency that once made her one of the WTA’s top ten single’s players, makes her journey relatable to highly motivated career women, who have often struggled to reestablish themselves vocationally, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, after returning from maternity leave.

 

“I think there’s so much stress on moms to bounce back or get back to something,” replied Osaka, when asked about this post on X.

 

“I feel like it’s a beautiful, magical thing that you’ve created a life inside of you, and you almost don’t even really get to treasure that moment.”

 

“I feel like giving birth is normalized, and almost every mom that I know has had a really difficult pregnancy and labour, so I wish that women could see how strong they are, but also not feel too many expectations at the same time to, I guess, look a certain way or be a certain way.”

Christmas Heartache

The tears began to roll down Sylvia’s cheeks, even before she opened her eyes on Christmas morning. Last night, it took an unusually long time for her to fall asleep. Christmas Eve had been a magical evening for her and Jim for decades. It was one of the first family traditions that they established, as newlyweds.

Adobe Stock photo by Art_Photo

This was her first Christmas Eve without her belovèd Jimmy.

It was only after several uncomfortable months of sleeping on the couch, that she finally forced herself to begin sleeping on their matrimonial bed again, but never on Jim’s side.

Even when she woke up in the middle of the night, to use the bathroom, Sylvia still climbed out of the bed, on her side, even though Jim’s side was beside the ensuite bathroom in the master bedroom.

Death is such a cruel thief, but not nearly as despicable as Alzheimer's. The disease slowly stole Jim from her, changing his personality, almost imperceptibly at first. His communication devolved from flowery, enthusiastically expressed sentences, to short monotone phrases, which eventually gave way to grunts, nods and shaking his head.

Then one morning, Sylvia was met with a blank, vacant stare when she asked her hubby, if he wanted his coffee in bed or in the kitchen. Her heart sank.

She had periodically attended the Canadian Alzheimer’s Association’s online Zoom workshops during the pandemic.

https://alzheimer.ca

However, nothing could have prepared her for the moment when her husband of 42 years no longer recognized her.

Jim looked directly into her eyes, with the curiosity and innocence of a toddler, meeting a stranger for the very first time. It was heartbreaking.

During the next six to eight months, Jim occasionally recognized her, even calling her by name, on one occasion. These heartwarming moments were comforting — having a glimpse of the old Jimmy — even for a fleeting moment.

So many voices, Jim’s doctor, his personal support workers, concerned family members and friends had pleaded with her to put him in a home, for the sake of her mental, emotional and physical well-being.

Adobe Stock photo by SOMKID

Sylvia refused adamantly. She tuned them out for a very long time. To her, this felt like spousal neglect. She felt that the daily morning visits from the PSW was enough assistance.

“… in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

Sylvia took her wedding vows very seriously.

She almost relented, when she was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. She paid to have a second support worker come each day, for an hour, in the early evening, to feed her precious Jim, get him ready for bed and read the newspaper headlines to him.

At this point, Sylvia had learned the hard way that caregiver’s burn-out is real. When the second PSW arrived each day, she dropped whatever she was doing and left the house for at least 30 minutes. This much needed break from the demands and responsibilities of caring for her helpless mate’s needs, gave her a few minutes to destress, relax and recharge. It helped to keep her calm and sane.

Two days before Jim’s 63rd birthday, death took him from her, completing the theft that Alzheimer’s had begun a decade earlier. It stole Jim’s mind and his personality. This villain took his breath.

They’d had so many dreams of how they would grow old together gracefully. They had planned to travel after he took early retirement on his 64th birthday, but it never came.

Instead, the money that they had saved, after sacrificing for so many years, went to pay for interventions to slow down the progress of the disease and for Jim’s home care.

Deprived of the love of her life, for Sylvia, the holiday season had forever lost its sparkle.

Working Creatively with Generation Z

Day two of the Master Guide recertification convention began with prayer, followed by singing “O Canada,” the national anthem.

 

The Master Guides then recited the organization’s Vision, Mission, Purpose, Pledge and Law together, before singing the Master Guide song.

 

Next, the praise team lead their fellow Master Guides in a powerful time of musical worship, culminated by singing the week-end event’s theme song, “God Will Make a Way.”

Theme Song: "God Will Make a Way"

 

Once a teacher, always a teacher. Former educator, Patricia Lopez, Children and Women’s Ministries Director, for the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,

facilitated an interactive workshop, that kept everyone on the edge of their seats, while instructing them in the process.

Lopez’s high energy, enthusiastic, participatory presentation style demonstrated perfectly, the importance of, and how to implement “Creative Ministries and Evangelism," to retain the attention of the young people that they mentor and minister to.

 

Pastor Edwin Martin, Adventurers, Master Guides and Pathfinders Club Ministries Director, for the Ontario Conference lead the next workshop.

In “Understanding the Present Generation,” he described in detail,

the characteristics of Generation Z, leaning heavily on recent Barna research.

After lunch, Kevin Benta, the Ontario Conference’s Properties Management & Risk Management Director got everyone’s attention with a practical workshop on “Risk Management / Child Protection.”

He opened the Master Guides’ minds to the need to be proactive and vigilant in safeguarding the children

entrusted to them, as Adventurer and Pathfinder club leaders.

 

Dr. Anthony Reid, the Ontario Conference’s Stewardship Ministries Director, then facilitated a workshop on “Conflict Management & De-Escalation.”

 

He discussed how Master Guides can effectively manage conflict.

He also identified the reality that sometimes, conflict has to be managed, when it cannot be resolved.

 

During the day’s final presentation, Cherrie Anne James, the Ontario Conference’s Master Guide Council Executive Coordinator spoke about the Master Guide “Uniform Dress Code Policy”. Ms. James, along with Chester Lewis, the Ontario Pathfinder Executive Coordinator, responded to participants’ questions.

 

As always, the session ended with prayer.