Navratilova: BBC pays McEnroe ten times more than me
Broadcaster’s gender pay gap is questioned by the nine-time Wimbledon champion
Tennis great Martina Navratilova has told the BBC’s Panorama programme that the corporation pays her ten times less than her fellow commentator John McEnroe.
Navratilova, who won the Wimbledon singles title nine times, has hit out at the BBC for “valuing male voices above women’s”.
In an interview for Panorama: Britain’s Equal Pay Scandal, which airs at 7.30pm tonight, Navratilova said: “It was a shock because John McEnroe makes at least £150,000... I get about £15,000 for Wimbledon and unless John McEnroe’s doing a whole bunch of stuff outside of Wimbledon he’s getting at least 10 times as much money.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“We were not told the truth, that’s for sure. It’s still the good old boys’ network. The bottom line is that male voices are valued more than women’s voices.”
Quoted by The Guardian, a BBC Sport spokeswoman defended the discrepancy, saying that McEnroe’s pay reflects his standing as a tennis pundit and that gender “isn’t a factor”.
“Along with Sue Barker, John is regarded as the face of our Wimbledon coverage,” said the BBC spokeswoman. “He is a defining voice within the BBC’s coverage. He is widely considered to be the best expert/commentator in the sport, highly valued by our audiences and his contract means he cannot work for another UK broadcaster without our permission. His pay reflects all of this – gender isn’t a factor.”
Last year a gender pay row erupted at the BBC when a list of its highest earners was published. It was revealed that two-thirds of the broadcaster’s highest-paid presenters are male and only two women made the top ten in the list of TV stars’ salaries.
Tennis fans and pundits have taken to Twitter to express their reactions to Navratilova’s comments.
“You’ve got your stars and pay mixed up”.
“Gender politics are rarely far from the surface in tennis”.
“They have different jobs”.
“Martina is a better commentator”.
Mac’s (unfair) advantage...
“Perhaps John McEnroe is 10x more entertaining?”.
“Seems fair enough”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Andy Murray: Britain's greatest sportsperson?
Talking Points Injury denies Scot a final singles appearance at Wimbledon but his place in history is assured
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
John Motson dies aged 77: five best Motty moments
Under the Radar The legendary BBC football commentator delivered countless iconic lines in 50-year career
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Nick Kyrgios: a foul-mouthed bully or tortured genius?
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Australian has thrilled and appalled on his run to the Wimbledon final
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Novak Djokovic vs. Cameron Norrie: Wimbledon semi-final preview and predictions
feature Can the British No.1 stun the defending champ and reach Sunday’s final?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
What has Serena Williams been doing?
Why Everyone’s Talking About The tennis great made a surprise return to the court this week after a year away
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Wimbledon 2022: Friday’s order of play
feature British hope Norrie takes on defending champion Djokovic on Centre Court
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
‘Outright civil war’ in tennis as Wimbledon faces up to Putin
Talking Point Furious tennis authorities condemn ‘discriminatory and unfair’ ban of Russian and Belarusian players
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published