North America hosts numerous professional and semi-professional women's sports leagues, predominantly in the United States, featuring top-tier competitions in team sports like basketball, soccer, and ice hockey, as well as individual sports. While some leagues, such as the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), offer professional contracts, many others provide less than a livable wage, reflecting a varied landscape of player compensation. For instance, the WNBA's 2020 collective bargaining agreement significantly boosted minimum salaries to $57,000-$68,000.

Women's ice hockey has seen significant evolution, with past leagues like the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF, established 2015) and Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL, ceased 2019) facing financial hurdles. This led to the recent establishment of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), backed by investor Mark Walter and tennis legend Billie Jean King, aiming to provide a stable professional environment. These leagues serve as the pinnacle for athletes whose development often culminates after competing at university and international levels.