It’s no secret women that play sports don’t get the same attention as men. Many think women’s sports are boring and a big joke.

Leagues like the WNBA and National Women’s Soccer League do not even compare to that of the NBA and Major Leauge Soccer. The minimum salary for a Major Leauge Soccer player is $50,000 a year, while the National Women’s Soccer League pays its players $6,000-$30,000 a year. As of the 2015-2016 year, the minimum salary for an NBA rookie is $525,093 a year while a WNBA rookie earns $35,190 a year.

So what does this mean for the little girl in the gym with a basketball practicing for countless hours a day hoping to be the next Mya Moore, Ivory Latta, or Seimone Augustus? Should she just give up on her dreams because society doesn’t hold her dream to the same standard as her male friends?

What can be said to the women that play college sports who don’t get the same notoriety that men do when they reach a certain milestone. I bet many people knew Andrew Wiggins won Rookie of the Year in 2015. But how many people know or that University of Connecticut (UConn) is on recurrent, 55-game winning streak, and that UConn women’s basketball team went on an impressive 90-game winning streak a couple of years ago, which was noted as one of the longest winning streaks in the history of sports.

Many women work countless hours to play a sport they love, despite the disproportionate pay. It can be frustrating playing a sport and not having people to support you. If a woman does get some type of recognition or attention, I can guarantee you it has to do with her looks more than it does talent (i.e. Skylar Diggins).So what is driving women’s sports to stay somewhat relevant today?

One word -- passion.

Many women are immensely passionate about the sports they play, regardless of the disproportionate pay, inadequate attention, and lack of funding. They play the sport simply because they love the game.