How Much Do Women's Premier League Players Make

So picture this: It’s a chilly Tuesday evening, and my friend Clara—a total footy fanatic—is ranting about her favorite Women’s Premier League (WPL) player. She pauses mid-sentence, tilts her head, and asks, “But seriously, how much do these women actually make?” I had no clue, and judging by her raised eyebrow, neither did she. That’s the moment this rabbit hole opened up, and trust me, it’s a wild ride.

Let’s cut to the chase: WPL players aren’t exactly swimming in Scrooge McDuck money, but they’re not broke either. The league, launched in 2023 by the BCCI, shook up the cricket world by offering five teams and a total salary cap of INR 12 crore (about $1.5 million) per squad. That’s huge for women’s cricket, but when you compare it to the men’s IPL—where a single star can pocket that much—you start to feel a twinge of irony, right?

The Big Bucks: Top Tiers and Mega Auctions

Last year’s auction had me glued to my screen like it was a Netflix thriller. Smriti Mandhana became the league’s first million-dollar baby, snagging INR 3.4 crore (roughly $410,000) from Royal Challengers Bangalore. That’s more than some male cricketers earn in a full IPL season, honestly—go Smriti!

But here’s the kicker: only the top 10 to 15 players hit those seven-figure deals. Most others land in the bronze, silver, or platinum brackets, earning anywhere from INR 30 lakh ($36,000) to INR 1.5 crore ($180,000) per season. Not too shabby for a few weeks of work, eh? Though, if you ask me, the gap between the top earners and the benchwarmers still feels like a chasm.

The Middle Class: Where Most Players Land

Now, let’s talk about the 90% of the league—the unsung heroes who grind through training camps, media days, and grueling matches. A player in the silver category (that’s the mid-tier) gets around INR 50 lakh ($60,000) per season. For three months of work, that’s a solid living—especially if you’re from a country where the average salary is half of that.

But wait, there’s a catch: deductions. Agent fees, taxes, and travel costs chip away at that number faster than a fast bowler’s yorker. One player told me she nets about 60% of her contract after everything, which means the “big salary” suddenly feels more like a “comfortable stipend.”

How much do women's footballers get paid compared to men? - Wales Online

Still, for a sport that was virtually unpaid a decade ago, this is a revolution. My grandmother used to play cricket for a free lunch—true story—so seeing these numbers blows her mind every time.

The Hidden Perks: Match Fees and Bonuses

Here’s where things get fun: players also earn match fees (about INR 5 lakh or $6,000 per game), plus win bonuses from franchises. Imagine slapping a six over the boundary and pocketing an extra $1,000—that’s the dream, right? Some teams even throw in performance bonuses for centuries, hat-tricks, or player-of-the-match awards. Cricket’s pretty sweet when you’re good at it.

And let’s not forget the non-monetary perks: free gear, top-tier trainers, and five-star hotels. I’m not saying they live like royalty, but they definitely eat better than me on a Tuesday night takeaway.

How much do women footballers get paid? - BBC News

The Elephant in the Room: Why the Gap?

Okay, let’s state the obvious: men’s IPL players earn 20 to 30 times more. The highest-paid female player in 2024, Harmanpreet Kaur, took home INR 2 crore ($240,000)—while a male IPL rookie might earn that in signing bonuses alone. It stings, doesn’t it? But here’s the truth: revenue drives salaries.

The WPL’s broadcast rights sold for INR 951 crore ($115 million), while the men’s league pulled in over $6 billion. So until women’s cricket fills stadiums and sponsors flood in, that gap will stay stubborn. It’s a classic chicken-and-egg situation—ironically, the players are the eggs, and we’re still waiting for the chicken to lay gold.

What’s Next? The Future of WPL Paydays

Rumors are swirling that the salary cap might double by 2026, especially with the next auction cycle. If viewership keeps climbing—like, 1.1 billion minutes streamed last season—expect bigger checks. One franchise insider told me, “We’ll pay what the market demands, and the market is waking up.” Fingers crossed, eh?

For now, though, the WPL is a glimmer of hope for aspiring girl cricketers worldwide. When Clara’s kid asks her about this someday, she’ll say, “They made enough to change the game.” And that’s worth more than any banknote, isn’t it? (Though a few extra zeros wouldn’t hurt, either.)