i am that i am

Francesca Fiorentini says she’d let Lionel Messi and Usain Bolt compete in women’s sports — and Piers Morgan forces her to defend that position! Then Esther turns the debate to women’s pay, arguing that sports salaries come down to one thing: how many people actually watch. Piers Morgan: Megan Rapinoe is a very good football player, but incredibly irritating. When she retired, she said trans women should be allowed on the US Women’s National Team — when she could no longer lose her own position. So here’s a scenario: Lionel Messi says he identifies as a woman. Francesca, would you let him play for the US Women’s National Team? Yes or no? Francesca Fiorentini: He’s undergone an incredible amount of treatment, and he had a growth spurt— Piers Morgan: Yes or no? Would you let him play? Francesca Fiorentini: Yes! Hell yeah! Messi on the US Women’s National Team? Absolutely! Piers Morgan: What about Usain Bolt competing in the women’s Olympic sprinting team? Francesca Fiorentini: Yes, if they identify as women. Piers Morgan: So you’d let Lionel Messi play in women’s football and potentially destroy the competition? Francesca Fiorentini: It would be very difficult to get a ticket, which would suck! Piers Morgan: And you’d let Usain Bolt compete against women? Francesca Fiorentini: Yes. Participant: What about Floyd Mayweather competing in the US women’s boxing team? Francesca Fiorentini: Yes, of course — you’d have to consider the weight class. Participant: You always say you want to be a penguin. I’d let you live in a cage at London Zoo with the other penguins! Piers Morgan: You know what? That would be a very popular exhibit. Narrator: Esther then challenges the argument over women’s pay, turning the discussion toward the economics of professional sport. Esther: I’m convinced they don’t actually believe these arguments when you take them to their logical conclusion. And it shows a lack of understanding of basic sports economics. If there aren’t enough people buying tickets, you don’t get paid as much. That’s it. If you’re outraged that some female athletes earn less than male athletes, buy tickets to their games and increase their viewing figures. Look at the revenues of the Women’s World Cup compared with the Men’s World Cup. The difference is enormous. Participant: Caitlin Clark was the most-watched women’s college basketball player ever. The ratings were through the roof, and she attracted major sponsorships. Piers Morgan: That’s the reality. Narrator: Then Piers moves to the next controversy: a footballer playing for Monaco who faces sanctions for refusing to wear a Pride badge.