W-League footballers stand to be among the hardest hit sportspeople from the coronavirus crisis due to many players' ineligibility for the government's JobKeeper subsidies.
Only five W-League footballers are currently contracted for next season and with A-League clubs - which provide the majority of funding for their W-League teams - in financial strife, the future of Australia's female league is uncertain.
The players themselves stand to be harder hit than their A-League counterparts given their 14 game season contracts likely rules them ineligible for the Australian government's $1500 per fortnight JobKeeper subsidy payments.
The payments are aimed at keeping Australian employees in their current jobs, but have strict eligibility requirements that are aimed largely at full-time employees.
Foreign A-League players and those with expiring contracts also stand to be hit hard by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the W-League is semi-professional and the majority of W-League players are necessitated to have other forms of part-time employment, many players will be hit twice, as they may be ineligible for JobKeeper payments across both jobs.
Fox Sports are also rumoured to be considering withdrawing their over $50 million-per-year broadcasting funding for the league and many sources indicate that the COVID-19 crisis may expedite A-League clubs' forming an independent breakaway from FFA franchises.
Given the uncertain future Australian football faces moving forward, the joint Australian-New Zealand 2023 World Cup bid may also be thrown into disarray, with the possibility of significant changes in Australian football an ominous sign for the still fledgling female competitions.
Related Articles

Champion A-League coach set to join Premier League giants

Emerging Socceroos star set to sign for MLS club
