Recently, a totally unintended result of Tory machinations to control the behaviour of the BBC was the highlighting of the ongoing pay disparity between men and women.
Whilst the entertainment industry has always set its own income levels, based on demand and what the market will bear, the gaps within the BBC were sad and unsurprisingly impressive. And we have to assume that the same situation, or even worse, exists behind the camera.
And bland statements that the BBC is actually better than the national average, and is working towards equality, are mean-spirited and disingenuous.
If there is an unwarranted gap you close it. Takes 5 minutes to sign a new contract. No need for a delay.
And, along with just about every other industry, it seems that sport is the same. Top level sportsmen command astronomical incomes, based again, in general, on what the market within any particular sport will stand.
But there is still the ongoing saga of prize money differentiation.
Well, sorry guys, but a winner is a winner. A champion is a champion.
And now rugby joins the throng of moving away from, rather than towards, equal treatment.
The England Rugby Team, the world champions, are seeing their contracts ceasing after the World Cup in August. There will be new contracts for the upcoming Sevens competitions, but nothing for the 15 a side squad until, presumably, we head into the next World Cup.
There are, of course, the small matter of 6 Nations competitions every year to consider, but hey ho.
Now, it would be interesting to see what would happen if the same approach was applied to their male counterparts. There would be tantrums, tears and testosterone-fueled angst that would put The Game of Thrones to shame.
It would never happen. Even though the England Rugby Team (male) are not a more successful squad. No, simply because the game is run by men.
And even though the RFU has had a bumper year, and even though they have a stated aim of expanding the game further into the grassroots, they seem remarkably shortsighted in the method of generating that interest and enthusiasm.
There are all sorts of reasons put forward, the main one being that the women’s game doesn’t get as much public support. Could this have anything to do with the fact that it doesn’t get as much media coverage, or RFU promotion? That was rhetorical by the way.
The England Women’s Cricket Team have just had a superb triumph, and coverage was everywhere. But watch how quickly that fades, and the ongoing activities disappear from view.
The solution is simple. Yes really.
If you want equality of opportunity and access, of participation and development. Of progressive national success, then you bite the bullet, accept that, till now, things have not been fair, and change it.
There may be a time lag while the nation catches up with all the potential that is on offer, but they will.
And if you want success, then get that playing field levelled!
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