When the 24-year-old Satheesh Shubha set India on course for victory over England in this month's Test match, it was the first time she had ever batted for her country. And yet Shubha was already worth more than most of the women in India's cricketing history. Earlier in the month, Royal Challengers Bangalore had purchased her for the second season of the Women's Indian Premier League, the tournament that changed not just women's cricket, but the entire landscape of women's sport.
When its 951 crore (£95.4m) rights deal was announced in January, the WIPL instantly became the second most valuable women's sports league in the entire world. Nat Sciver-Brunt, the highest paid overseas player in the draft, received £320,000 for the three-week tournament. Alex Hartley, the former England bowler who announced her retirement in August, calls it "unheard of amounts of money". "And as a result we've seen young Indian players come through who've done really well. When you have a high-cost competition like the WIPL, people improve quickly."
2023 may well be remembered as the tipping point year for women's sport - the one it finally began to realise its commercial possibilities. In November, the US National Women's Soccer League signed a four-year media rights deal for $240m, a 40-fold increase.
A report by Deloitte predicted that global revenues would top £1bn in 2024-a 300% increase on the industry's valuation in 2020. The creation of NewCo to govern toptier women's football in England - breaking the shackles of FA control-proved that the industry is preparing for one giant leap.
Denne historien er fra December 26, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra December 26, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL
Rick Parry has accused the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid, arguing that without the \"variety and competition\" that come from relegation and promotion the game would become \"sterile\".
Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video
The Football Association has launched its own investigation into the behaviour of the referee David Coote after remarks he made about Jürgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online this week.
Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official
Referee who has been caught on video in a foul-mouthed tirade against Jürgen Klopp officiated 21 Liverpool games. Andy Hunter takes a look at the decisions in each one
Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football
Is it really a surprise that an official or someone similar should end up glassy-eyed and spitting toxins on a sofa?
Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale
In-form Newcastle defender can show Thomas Tuchel he can be the solution to perennial problem on the left
'It's about robust planning, proper financial control'
is about \"preventing the shocks\" that have disrupted the sport in recent years.
'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'
The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special
Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up
Manchester City maintained their 100% start in the Women's Champions League group stage as second-half goals from youngsters Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino were enough to beat a determined Hammarby side.
Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis
The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a \"sharp learning curve\" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.
No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks
England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
