USWNT
USWNT, US Soccer reach $24M equal pay settlement
The USWNT has reached a settlement of $24 million with the US Soccer Federation in its class action lawsuit over unequal pay with male team players.
Players of the US Women’s National Team will receive $24 million from the US Soccer Federation (USSF) as a settlement of their class action lawsuit to receive equal pay.
The two sides announced the settlement in a court filing three years after five USWNT players filed a case over unequal pay and working conditions at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
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“We will have resolved our longstanding dispute over equal pay and proudly stand together in a shared commitment to advancing equality in soccer,” their joint statement read.
“Today, we recognize the legacy of the past USWNT leaders who helped to make this day possibles as well as all of the women and girls who will follow. Together, we dedicate this moment to them. 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.”
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The federation will pay the athletes a lump sum of $22 million, with the balance to be placed in an account for use of the women after they retire from the sport, as well as for programs promoting soccer for women and girls. The amount includes backpay for prize money for previous World Cup victories.
The agreement also provides for equal pay for men and women moving forward for all friendlies and tournaments, including the World Cup.
The deal will be finalized after USWNT players sign a new collective bargaining agreement with the federation.
Years in the making
The settlement is much smaller than the $66 million the team originally sued for, but USWNT star Megan Rapinoe still heralded it as a win. Rapinoe is among those that filed the suit against USSF in 2019.
“We can’t go back and undo the injustices that we faced but the only justice coming out of this is that we know that something like this is never gonna happen again,” the winger said.
The USWNT is currently number one in the FIFA World Rankings, and have four World Cups and four Olympic gold medals to their name.