It is not only sportsmen that earn more than women doing the same thing. This problem concerns many professions. It is such an obvious descrimination that i really don't understand why in our day and age it still happens.
I might even understand the point of view of employers who prefer to hire men rather than young women, even though both have similar qualifications. The latter are likely to have children and concentrate on family rather than career in the near future and it is only fair to let employers decide who they want in their companies. That is harsh, as women need to work as well, but i admit no one can make the boss employ a woman just because of that.
BUT, once they actually decide to hire a woman, and she does her job equally well as a man. then THEY HAVE NO RIGHT to pay her less because of her sex. It is outrageous that it happens