Forbes’ Highest Paid Athletes List Has No Women In Top 100

Forbes' ‘World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2018’ list is here and it indicates an all-male affair. The list features India cricket captain Virat Kohli, but no women stood a chance to be in the top 100.

The American business magazine releases its annual report of the highest paid athletes in sport, yet women are excluded from the list this time. This is the first time since 2010 that no women are part of the top 100.

According to Forbes, American retired boxing champion Floyd Mayweather topped the list

Kohli is the only sportsperson from India to be featured in the list. He ranks 83rd with earnings of $24 million. Mayweather, on the other hand, claimed the top spot, raking in $285 million.

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"Boasting more Twitter followers (25 million-plus) than all but three active sports stars," Forbes said about Kohli, 29, who is India's biggest name and also is one of the most popular athletes in the world.

While the disparity is disturbing, according to The Field, which had noted last year a huge financial imbalance exists when it comes to male and female athletes. So where are the women athletes who are not only doing incredible on field, but are also making their countries proud? Why aren’t they paid enough compared to their male counterparts? In 2017, Serena Williams was the only woman to feature in the top 100. Her prize money dropped from $8 million to $62,000 this year after her pregnancy break and she lost her place in the list this year.

READ: Why Are Female Athletes Judged By Their Appearance?

Commenting on why there are no women on the list, Forbes said “tennis' female sportspersons Li Na, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams were list regulars but Li retired in 2014 and Sharapova is still dealing with the aftermath of a 15-month suspension for using a banned substance”.

Also read: Women’s cricket team to target No 1 spot by 2020: BCCI President

Read More Stories By Ria Das