‘It never makes me bitter’: Basketball star Liz Cambage blames sexism for gender pay gap in sport… as she weighs in on NBA player Ben Simmons’ $240m contract
Australian basketball star Ben Simmons set to sign a massive $240million NBA contract, making him the highest earning Australian athlete of all time.
And following the announcement, Australian Opals and the Las Vegas Aces star Liz Cambage has revealed the challenges female basketball players face.
‘It is hard knowing that maybe if I was born a man and doing the exact same thing I would have more money than sense,’ she told the Herald Sun on Sunday.
Liz Cambage (left) has discussed the struggles female basketball players face while opening up about fellow Australian star Ben Simmons’ (right) new $240m NBA deal in America
Liz, 27, continued: ‘We know the WNBA is not making billions of dollars like the NBA, but we want to be in a place where we don’t have to play basketball all year round.’
The athlete, who is regarded as one of the best female basketball players in the world, added that she is not ‘bitter’ about this though.
‘It makes me sad that if I have children and if I have a daughter and a son he is going to make so much more money if they both want to play sport,’ she concluded.
‘It is hard knowing that if I was born a man and doing the exact same thing I would have more money than sense,’ the Australian Opals and the Las Vegas Aces’ player, 27, told the Herald Sun
Speaking out: During her interview on Sunday, Liz, who is regarded as one of the best female basketball players in the world, added that she is not ‘bitter’ about this though
During the interview, Liz went on to congratulate Ben, 22, on the huge deal, revealing she has known him since he was 13-years-old.
Last week it was revealed that Ben is one of the most sought after NBA players in the US, with his side, the Philadelphia 76ers, fighting to keep the Melbourne-born star.
They have offered him a $240.4million five-year contract extension, which would make him approximately $50m a year for five years, if he accepts.
Celebrating: Liz, who was raised on Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, went on to congratulate Ben, 22, on the huge deal, revealing she has known him since he was 13-years-old
In demand: Last week it was revealed that Ben (pictured) is one of the most sought after NBA players in the US, with the Philadelphia 76ers fighting to keep the Melbourne-born star
In conjunction with Ben’s $37m rookie contract, he now makes more money than other Australian athletes including golfer Jason Day, F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, and top basketballers Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles.
He also has endorsement deals with sportswear icon Nike which is estimated to be worth $20m over fives years.
That deal also provides Simmons with $20million in bonuses.
Record breaking: They have offered the 22-year-old a $240.4million five-year contract extension, which would make him approximately $50m a year for five years, if he accepts
Big earner: Ben also has endorsement deals with sportswear icon Nike which is estimated to be worth $20m over fives years. Pictured Ben with ex-girlfriend Kendall Jenner in Feb, 2019