Professional soccer players in England balance sports and side jobs
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 2:16 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
An episode of ‘Ted Lasso’ reflects the reality of many female soccer players in England, particularly those in the second division. The show depicts character challenges, like juggling jobs and childcare. Real-life players, such as Lauren Heria, share experiences of needing second jobs while training and competing. The Women's Super League 2 (WSL2) recently adopted professional status with salary floors starting at £17,500, aiming to improve financial situations yet still falling short of living wage standards. Despite increased pay, many players still face the necessity of side hustles.
- •‘Ted Lasso’ highlights challenges faced by second-division players
- •WSL2 players previously earned below new minimum salary floors
- •Players like Heria balance football with jobs or education
- •Recent changes aim to improve player conditions and salaries
- •Financial pressure persists even with new professional status
- 2:16 PMYahoo Sports — Side hustles aren’t just for ‘Ted Lasso’s’ plot, they’re many professional footballers’ reality
"This week’s episode of Apple TV’s ‘Ted Lasso’ opens with a scene familiar to many working mothers: a professional woman juggling childcare and her job. In this case, that job is playing professional soccer for a second-division women’s team in England. AFC Richmond Women’s team knows that being a professional soccer player does not necessarily mean soccer gets to be your only profession. The fictional team’s portrayal mirrors the reality of many real athletes facing the same challenges. When Liz
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
EPL•Sep 17, 2026, 3:50 PMWill Palmer, Foden and Trent be recalled to England squad?
Europa League•Sep 17, 2026, 3:35 PMRuben Amorim’s start to his AC Milan managerial career leads to sudden boardroom scramble
Soccer•Sep 17, 2026, 3:33 PMKlopp's first game to feature return of iconic Germany 1990 shirt
EPL•Sep 17, 2026, 3:25 PM“Building takes time”: Ruiz on Brighton progress
EPL•Sep 17, 2026, 3:24 PMJaissle on injuries, showing 'clear reaction' and faith in Botman
EPL•Sep 17, 2026, 3:23 PMFit-again Pleguezuelo a 'huge player' for Plymouth