New Zealand men and women cricketers will receive the same pay for the same work as New Zealand Cricket (NZC), 6 Major Associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association struck a landmark agreement.
New Zealand Cricket Chief David White: Both Men And Women Cricketers To Receive Same Pay For The Same Work
The agreement will see New Zealand women’s players at both international and domestic levels receive the same match fees as men across all formats and competitions. New Zealand Cricket and the players’ association signed a five-year deal on Tuesday that will see male and female cricketers receive equal pay.
“The improved pay and conditions are part of an agreement calculated on the country’s men’s and women’s professional players receiving 29.75 percent of all NZC forecast revenue over five years (USD 349 m), expected to amount to USD 104m,” NZC said in a statement.
NZC chief David White said: “This is the most important agreement in our sport, as it binds NZC, the Major Associations, and our players at the hip, and sets the foundation to fund, grow and develop cricket. It’s been a collaborative yet very robust negotiation.”
This means the highest-ranked New Zealand women’s player would be able to receive a maximum of USD 163,246 a year (up from USD 83,432), the ninth-ranked, USD 148,946 (USD 66,266), and the 17th-ranked USD 142,346 (USD 62,833).
The top-ranked women’s domestic players in each Major Association would be able to receive a maximum of USD 19,146 (up from USD 3,423), and the sixth-ranked USD 18,646 (USD 3,423), and the 12th-ranked USD 18,146 (USD 3,423). The agreement also sees the total number of women’s domestic contracts increase from 54 to 72.
New Zealand’s Men’s Players Will Earn Higher Retainers
New Zealand men’s players, whose match fees will be the same as the women, will earn higher retainers, based on the increased number of matches played, formats contested, and time spent training and playing. Under the agreement, the number of women’s domestic contracts will increase to 72 from 54 while the men will earn higher retainers due to the greater number of matches played, formats contested and time spent training and playing.
“It’s great for the international and domestic women players to be recognized in the same agreement, alongside the men,” White Ferns captain Sophie Devine said.
“It’s a massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girls.”
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said it was an exciting time for the sport.
“It’s really important for the current players to build on the legacy of those who have gone before us, and to support tomorrow’s players, both men and women, at all levels. This agreement goes a long way towards achieving that.”
They have also received increases at current levels, the top-ranked male player will be able to receive a maximum of USD 523,396 (up from USD 459,574), the tenth-ranked USD 444,196 (USD 377,981), and the 20th-ranked USD 367,196 (USD 305,453).
Additionally, the highest-ranked domestic men’s player in each Major Association would be in line to receive a maximum of USD 102,707 (up from USD 94,437), the eighth-ranked USD 87,307 (USD 77,357), and the 16th-ranked USD 75,207 (USD 64,406).