This is FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on stuff going on in the world. Monica Abbott, a professional softball player, recently signed what is believed to be the most lucrative contract for an individual with an American women’s sports team in history with a $1 million deal that was announced this week.
Who is Monica Abbott?
Monica Abbott is a professional fastpitch softball pitcher who signed a six-year deal with the Scrap Yard Dawgs of the National Pro Fastpitch softball league for $1 million. She most recently played for the Chicago Bandits. She has been the MVP of the league and three-time pitcher of the year.
In addition to her time with the NPF, she was a star pitcher at Tennessee, threw the first-ever perfect game in Olympic history in 2008 and won gold with Team USA in 2012.
Your @Vol_Softball team says congrats and THANK YOU for breaking barriers @monicaabbott #Attaway pic.twitter.com/VkZkUyfJae
— Karen Weekly (@KarenWeekly) May 5, 2016
What is National Pro Fastpitch?
Let’s ask them:
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), an Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball since 2002, provides elite female athletes with an opportunity to pursue a professional career in diamond sports beyond their collegiate success. The 2016 NPF season will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Coverage includes the NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thur., April 14, followed by 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special and the 2016 NPF Championship Series. The NPF recently announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs, located in The Woodlands, Texas, will join the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion and USSSA Florida Pride for the 2016 season.
How is this million-dollar contract structured?
We’re glad you asked! It’s a little complicated. According to ESPNW, it has a lot to do with bonuses — like many seven-figure deals, though hers’ aren’t performance-based.
From ESPNW:
Abbott’s deal pays her a base salary of $20,000 for each of the next six seasons, with attendance bonuses making up the rest. It will not be difficult to qualify for the bonuses, which are triggered when attendance for a small number of games reaches 100 fans, regardless of whether the team is at home or away and whether or not Abbott pitches.
OK. So people sign million-dollar contracts all the time. Why is this such a big deal?
Professional women athletes in the United States generally don’t get paid very well — especially compared to their male counterparts. There’s lots that can be discussed about why that is that is too complicated for an explainer, but no one gets paid near a million in domestic leagues. The WNBA pays its stars in the low six-figures (they make most of their money up overseas and in endorsements). The NWHL pays its players less than $25,000 and the NWSL salaries go up to about $40,000. Even the USWNT players get paid far less than the men do — despite being far more successful.
Seeing @monicaabbott sign a $1M deal gives hope that hopefully one day the @NWHL can some day sign players to multi year deals
— Kaleigh Fratkin (@fratkin13) May 5, 2016
Congrats @monicaabbott — a huge step forward for women everywhere. Let's keep raising the bar! #OneIsNotEnough https://t.co/lSX2t5Jzwt
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) May 5, 2016
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