Basketball-NZ pro women's league puts men in the shade by doubling pay

New Zealand's Antonia Edmondson goes for a basket against Czech Republic during their 2012 women's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Ankara June 25, 2012. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo

(Reuters) - New Zealand's professional women's basketball league is doubling player payments this season with the result that they are likely to be paid more than their male equivalents.

Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa had previously pegged wages to those of the men's National Basketball League but the commercial success of their first two seasons has allowed them to increase payments.