Why do women get paid less the men in sports?

Salaries are based on ratings and how many folks watch the competition. Currently, most women's sports are not as popular nor have as many viewers as men's sports. Therefore, salaries are lower. There are some sporting events where women make the same amount as men. The major tournaments in tennis are one example. For the 2008 Australian Open, both the men's singles winner and the women's singles winner won $1,197,739.20 (US). Both the men's singles winner and the ladies singles winner at the 2007 Wimbledon Championship won $1.4 million (US).