The Players: Members of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) claimed they were paid four times less than male soccer players and filed a charge over five years ago with the EEOC against the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF).
The Play:
First Period: Along with the original claim with the EEOC, three years ago 28 members of the USNWT filed a federal Equal Pay Act lawsuit against the USSF. The lower court ruled against the USNWT pay claims and the players appealed. That case is on review before the 9th circuit.
Halftime: While the USWNT cases dragged on, the players inspired and gained attention in the greater fight for equality in sports, inspiring a bigger movement. While USSF initially won in court, it was losing on the world stage and sponsors noticed. The EEOC pledged to file a brief in the 9th Circuit appeal as well. USSF had to stop the bleeding.
Second Period: The settlement grants $22 million for back pay–an implied acknowledgement of pay inequity–and a $2 million fund to benefit USNWT players in their charitable efforts and post-career work with women and girls’ soccer.
Final Score: The biggest win for the women soccer players could be USSF’s pledge to equalize pay between the men’s and women’s national teams in all competitions, including the World Cup, in the teams’ next collective bargaining agreements. This pledge could finally close the gap between men and women players going forward.