Gaming Hope: Professional Women’s Football as Precarious Work

This article seeks to uncover Carys’ precarious experiences as a professional female footballer. To date, research has largely examined uncertain labour market conditions, processes and outcomes, often overlooking the ‘hope labour’ of skilled precarious workers who take present risks in anticipation of future opportunities. Carys’ story highlights the critical role of individual agency in navigating such hope labour. We find that although her job carries risks, she is able to navigate them through strategic games, reminiscent of those described in Michael Burawoy’s influential work. Carys uses risk-mitigation games to secure better contract offers. She also practises risk-acceptance games to maintain her physical fitness and competitiveness. Carys’ case leads us to propose that the hope labour of skilled precarious workers is a matter of negotiation, rather than simple necessity.