This week, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) reached a settlement with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) over equal pay. The deal is a long time coming, after a multi-year lawsuit and a lot of public discourse over the gender pay gap.
Megan Rapinoe, one of the high profile players who filed a complaint about the pay gap and later signed onto the lawsuit shared her opinion on the settlement on Good Morning America.
The video clip was shared online.
"Something like this is never going to happen again and we can move forward in making soccer the best sport we possibly can in this country..."\n\n@alexmorgan13, @mPinoe and the president of the US Soccer Federation live as the @USWNT wins their fight for equal pay.pic.twitter.com/uV2nNh7WAE— Good Morning America (@Good Morning America) 1645533537
The settlement includes a $22 million payout for players in back pay, along with a $2 million fund to support players’ retirements, charitable efforts, and help grow the women’s side of the sport.
The lawsuit filed in March 2019 alleged that female players were consistently paid less than their male counterparts despite winning more tournaments and high worldwide viewership.
Rapinoe shared her thoughts and feelings on the settlement, saying:
“For us as players, I'm just so proud of the way we stuck together and really just kind of put our foot down. This is a huge win for us.”
Her tweet about the win had many cheering the victory.
When we win, everyone wins!— Megan Rapinoe (@Megan Rapinoe) 1645534586
Finally #USWNT will get paid what they are owed. I am proud of #MeganRapinoe and her team for demanding fair pay. Congratulations to them https://twitter.com/NPR/status/1496145871683170309\u00a0\u2026— TSgt Kevin Edwards (Retired) \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@TSgt Kevin Edwards (Retired) \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1645585628
Well deserved ladies— Chase (@Chase) 1645582510
Thank you to the US Women's Soccer Team for leading this #EqualPay fight! @mpinoe #WomenLeadership #EqualityCantWait #ElectWomenhttps://twitter.com/RepMaloney/status/1374731947470098436\u00a0\u2026— Colorado 50-50 (@Colorado 50-50) 1645585669
This was long overdue. Thank you @alexmorgan13 @mPinoe @CarliLloyd @hopesolo @beckysauerbrunn and others who courageously challenged the unequal pay gap #womensoccer #womenequalpay #crushthegendergaphttps://twitter.com/NPR/status/1496145871683170309\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 Chicki \u270c\ufe0f\u2665\ufe0f Love is Love (@\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 Chicki \u270c\ufe0f\u2665\ufe0f Love is Love) 1645585044
I was so excited to see the interviews this morning and read the details— James Scott lives on land stolen from Muscogee N (@James Scott lives on land stolen from Muscogee N) 1645556631
Soccer has never been my sport, but I\u2019m a big fan of equality and truly appreciate these amazing athletes for their determination and advocacy! https://twitter.com/mpinoe/status/1496106608530968576\u00a0\u2026— Niki Lemeshka (@Niki Lemeshka) 1645577727
May 2020 saw a setback when a judge ruled against the USWNT, claiming they actually made more than the men’s team.
Despite this, the USWNT continued their discussions with the USSF, who was under new leadership after previous president of the organization, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned over his argument the women’s team had less physical ability and responsibility than the men’s team.
Under Cindy Parlow Cone, a former player and new president of the USSF, the organization reached agreements with the USWNT about working conditions in December 2020. If they hadn’t reached an agreement about the equal pay portion, the appeal for the lawsuit would have had the two sides arguing in court on March 7 this year.
It's been a long time coming, but both sides are happy with the agreement.
We are slowly marching out of the stone age congratulations to the US women\u2019s soccer team. #EqualPayhttps://twitter.com/mpinoe/status/1496106608530968576\u00a0\u2026— Ali Mohraz (@Ali Mohraz) 1645572822
It\u2019s 2022 and women shouldn\u2019t have to fight for equal pay, but congratulations to @mPinoe and team for this historic victory - not just for women\u2019s soccer but for women everywhere!\n\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u4e8b\u60c5\u3082\u77e5\u308a\u305f\u3044\u2026https://twitter.com/gma/status/1496102207615291398\u00a0\u2026— Kathy Matsui (@Kathy Matsui) 1645586254
Don\u2019t the people running soccer live in this century? They had to be sued about equal pay for women?— Rod Burt (@Rod Burt) 1645586186
YES!!!!! \u2018Bout damn time. #USWNT @mPinoehttps://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1496088273466318852\u00a0\u2026— TGlass (@TGlass) 1645581875
Going forward, World Cup bonuses for both the men’s and women’s teams will be equal, as well as equal rates of pay. The settlement is a win for everyone in soccer.
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