Minimum salaries have been introduced in the Women’s Super League and WSL 2 for the first time this season.
In news reported by the BBC, it has been made a requirement by WSL Football – the company overseeing England’s professional leagues.
The news comes as a positive step following concerns over pay surrounding some players in the women’s game.
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson in an exclusive interview with SheKicks, said that there was a ‘pay inequity issue’ within the women’s game, with some players ‘not making enough money to live properly’.
WSL Football’s chief operating officer Holly Murdoch, told the BBC that some players have had to juggle football with part-time jobs.
She said: “We have so many players who have had to juggle part-time roles while playing football.
“Being able to ensure all our players can earn a full-time wage from football is very, very important. I would say it’s the start as it’s a framework we can develop on.”
What is the minimum salary in the Women’s Super League?
WSL Football have not yet disclosed what the minimum salaries would be for players in the Women’s Super League and WSL 2.
BBC reporter Emma Sanders said that the salary range is expected to be made public when the updated WSL and WSL 2 regulations are published later this season.
It is claimed that minimum salaries will be based on criteria including age, what league they are playing in, and their experience in the game.
Minimum salaries have been introduced following consultations with the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Murdoch said that the thresholds for pay will be ‘reviewed constantly’.
Spoke to WSL Football’s COO Holly Murdoch who revealed minimum salaries are to be introduced in the WSL and WSL 2. More details here plus loads more.https://t.co/U9IcPqJ8cK
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) September 3, 2025
Women’s football ‘can learn from mistakes in the men’s game’
Wales head coach Wilkinson in her interview with SheKicks, said that pay inequity needs to be monitored in the women’s game, and highlighted how they can learn from mistakes in the men’s game.
She said: “I think the women’s game needs to grow in its own way, where we do use the men’s game as some sort of a measuring stick, but the men’s game has also made a lot of mistakes because they were the first to do it.
“So how do we learn from it? And part of it is probably the pay inequity that we need to monitor.
“Some players are probably not making enough money to live properly. They are living at home, supplementing with two or three jobs in order to play.”
She added: “The upper echelons like Olivia Smith are well paid and the women are smart with their money. I would say the majority of them are careful and invest properly. We are lucky but we keep pushing standards.”
When does the Women’s Super League season begin?
The new Women’s Super League season begins on Friday, September 5th, with champions Chelsea hosting Manchester City.
Other highlights from the opening weekend of the campaign include the Merseyside derby and London City Lionesses facing Arsenal.
The WSL 2 also kicks off on Friday with Sheffield United taking on Sunderland.
