The pay gap between male and female elite hockey players is larger than expected, according to the study, on average, a male hockey player earns SEK 121,000 a month and a female SEK 5,500 a month.

More than a women's team

This means that there are 22 women on a man when it comes to wages.

"The salary differences are so great that a male elite hockey player on average earns more than a whole women's hockey team," said Union Press Secretary Erik Wirkensjö.

According to the survey, 99 percent of male elite players can live on their pay, but the corresponding figure for female elite players is only seven percent, and in addition, 40 percent of female elite players state that they receive no fixed compensation whatsoever.

Collective agreements are needed

The Union believes that hockey managers must address this issue and invest in girls and women's hockey in the same way that has long been done for boys and men.

- Equal bets are needed for the women's hockey to get the recognition it deserves. The salaries and conditions must be good so that they work for the players.

- For men's hockey there has been a collective agreement since 1999. We want the clubs to gather and sign collective agreements for the women's league, says Union President Martin Linder.