US Soccer Federation reaches equal pay deal with men and women teams

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The U.S. women’s national soccer team reached a historic deal that secures a salary identical to what applies to the men’s team.
• The deal with the soccer federation equalizes World Cup prize money between the men’s and women’s teams.
• The agreement is inspiring female players from around the world to fight for fair wages of their own.

U.S. Soccer Federation and the men’s and women’s national teams reached a historic deal, ending the gender wage gap. The agreement ensures that every member of the team, man or woman, is paid equally.

For years, the US Women’s National Soccer Team has been fighting for collective bargaining agreements for equitable pay. The deals will run through 2028.

“This is a truly historic moment,” U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. “These agreements have changed the game forever here in the United States and have the potential to change the game around the world.”

The U.S. Soccer becomes “the first Federation in the world to equalize FIFA World Cup prize money” awarded to the teams for participating in World Cups, the announcement says. 

Additionally, all players on the women’s and men’s teams will be paid equal appearance fees and game bonuses. The agreements also include an equal share of the profits the U.S. Soccer earns from its broadcast, partner or sponsorship deals.

Other stipulations include new and enhanced benefits — child care, parental leave and protections that guarantee the equal quality of venues and field playing surfaces for both teams.

In 2016, a discrimination complaint was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by five U.S. women’s soccer players — Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd and Becky Sauerbrunn. The complaint was followed by a 2019 lawsuit against the USSF for gender discrimination and unequal pay. It was filed by 28 members of the USWNT.

In February, the U.S. women’s national soccer team agreed to a $24 million settlement with the USSF in their long-running lawsuit over unequal pay with the men’s national team. The settlement, however, was contingent on the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement for USWNT and U.S. Soccer.

“I am feeling extreme pride,” U.S. Women’s National Team defender Sauerbrunn said in an interview with NBC’s “TODAY.” “To be able to say finally, equal pay for equal work feels very, very good,” she said.

Source: CNBC