The United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT) have reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation following a lawsuit over unequal pay with men’s team.
The deal brings an end to a six-year legal battle over equal pay and will see the women’s team get $24 million-plus bonuses that match those of the USA men’s team.
The landmark settlement was announced Tuesday, years after US women’s team players led by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint about inequality in pay and treatment.
US Soccer – governing body also agreed to establish a fund with $2 million to benefit the players in their post-soccer careers and charitable efforts aimed at growing the sport for women.
The federation is committed to providing an equal rate of pay for the women’s and men’s national teams including Fifa World Cup bonuses subject to collective bargaining agreements with the unions that separately represent the women and men.
In a joint statement, USWNT and US Soccer said: “Getting to this day has not been easy. The US Women’s National Team players have achieved unprecedented success while working to achieve equal pay for themselves and future athletes.
“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.”
Will South Africa go in the same direction?
