After years of fighting for equal pay, the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) has reached a $24 million settlement with the US Soccer Federation.
Under a new agreement, USWNT players will receive around $24 million for gender discrimination from US Soccer. In fact, this settlement agreement ends one of the most prominent pay cases in sports history.
In a joint statement released today, the two sporting organisations confirmed that they reached an agreement in the class action gender discrimination lawsuit. Multiple stars of the World Cup winning team filed the lawsuit in 2019. The settlement includes $2 million to the USWNT players specifically for post-career goals and charitable efforts, according to the statement.
LONGSTANDING EQUAL PAY DISPUTE
“We are pleased to announce that, contingent on the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement, we will have resolved our longstanding dispute over equal pay; and proudly stand together in a shared commitment to advancing equality in soccer,” confirmed a statement from US Soccer and USWNT.
“Getting to this day has not been easy,” the statement read. “The US Women’s National Team players have achieved unprecedented success while working to achieve equal pay for themselves and future athletes. Today, we recognise the legacy of the past USWNT leaders who helped to make this day possible; as well as all of the women and girls who will follow. Together, we dedicate this moment to them.”
US Soccer also confirmed that they have committed to an equal pay rate between Women’s and Men’s National Teams in friendlies and tournaments, including the World Cup. “We look forward to continuing to work together to grow women’s soccer; and advance opportunities for young girls and women in the United States and across the globe,” concluded the statement.
When the American Flag Football League in the US launched a women’s division, it introduced pay equity right from the kick off. Read more here.
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