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“There’s no question about it. This past month, you can just see the change that women’s football, and just football in general, has had (on Australians). Jerseys were sold out across the country. Tickets were sold out,” Ms Eder told CNA938’s Asia First.
“It has proven just how successful the game is and how much hunger there is for people to watch this content. It’s definitely benefited world football and especially in those countries that – Australia being one of them – aren’t historically football nations. I think we’re going to see this wave continue,” she added.
LONG WAY TO GO
However, the sport still has a long way to go in terms of gender equality in pay, resources, opportunities and attention, especially in nations where women’s sports are on a different playing field, Mr Walton said.
He cited nations such as Jamaica, Nigeria and South Africa, where players had pay and funding issues ahead of the tournament.
Meanwhile, FIFA also struggled to sell broadcast rights, even at a fraction of the price of the men’s tournament, showing the huge disparity that still exists between men’s and women’s sports, he added.
“Sponsors are gradually warming up. Hopefully, the exposure of over 2 billion viewers watching the games around the world, and over 2 million spectators in the stadiums … will make people sit up and take notice,” said Mr Walton.
