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USA Soccer Star Megan Rapinoe Says if She Could Get Paid Millions Like Tom Brady and LeBron James She Could Play Until the Age of 52

Published 12/08/2022, 2:15 PM EST

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Soccer is a global sport and has a huge fanbase. However, men’s soccer has more popularity and money involved as compared to women’s soccer. US Women’s soccer players such as Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan accused the US soccer federation of unequal pay. Earlier this year, the federation agreed to a $24 million worth deal, which would give back millions to the women’s players. However, superstars such as LeBron James and Tom Brady make more than 10 times the money players like Rapinoe get in the NWSL.

Despite the historic agreement, there is a huge parity in the salaries at the club level. MLS and NWSL salaries have a massive difference.

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NBA superstar LeBron James is currently on an $85 million 2-year contract deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Brady, on the other side, is on a $15 million deal for one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Megan Rapinoe, on the other side, made around $400k in salary last year, which is way less than what NBA and NFL stars make.

LeBron and Brady have been in impressive form despite their age. USWNT star Megan Rapinoe is also an integral part of the national team despite being 37.

Megan Rapinoe claims she could play till 52 if she made as much as LeBron and Tom Brady

US soccer star Megan Rapinoe recently sat down with Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco on the ‘Hysteria – Chief of Vibes‘ podcast. During the podcast, she talked about playing at such a high level despite being 37. Rapinoe also talked about how LeBron James and Tom Brady make millions and, with a similar salary, she could play till her 50s.

“There’s a little bit of pride involved and still being able to do what I love at a very high level,” Rapinoe said. “I think also just like the training and the sports medicine and everything is grown so much and become so good. Even on the men’s side. Adjust our sort of expectations of when athletes are starting to decline. Because we see it.”

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She continued: “Obviously, you hear about it all the time on the men’s side. It’s just like you can’t not hear about Tom Brady and LeBron James. Which I also think is just another amazing thing about female athletes. Like we’re doing all this in play. Obviously, my fiance Sue bird just retired this year. But played into her 40. These on like literally like a fraction of the budget. I’m like if I could spend a million dollars on my body every year, I would play until I was 52.”

Indeed, there is a massive difference between the salaries of men and women in sports. However, it is incredible to see how Megan Rapinoe has continued to be fit for club and country.

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Megan Rapinoe remains one of the best players in the NWSL and has entered free agency. It’ll be interesting to see her destination next season in the NWSL.

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WATCH THIS STORY: Megan Rapinoe Unveiled Her Super Effective Wellness Routine

What do you think of Rapinoe’s comments? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Written by:

Abhishek Singh

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Abhishek Singh is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports with over two years of journalistic experience with Chase Your Sport and Dribl. A Football Management graduate, he has previously interned in the Indian Super League, I-League, and AFC Champions League. Abhishek is an ardent Pedri and Barcelona guy, and believes they have a few more trophies in store.
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