USWNT victory, but more work to be done for equal pay

Women’s soccer in North America is making 2022 that year of the female athlete. On Jan. 31st, 2022 at approximately 8.30pm ET the National Women’s Soccer League’s Player’s Association announced they had ratified the first ever collective bargaining agreement in women’s soccer history. It was later approved by the Board of Governors.

Now some of the same players are getting a decisive victory over the U.S. Soccer Federation. On Feb. 22, 2022, players from the U.S. Women’s National Team walked away with a litigation settlement of “$22 million payments to players with $2 million going into a fund dedicated to players’ post-playing careers and charitable endeavors,” as reported by Meg Linehan of The Athletic. The settlement also comes with a pledge from the Federation to come to the bargaining table with the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement that will provide equal pay for the women’s and men’s national team members.

USWNTPA statement re: equal pay lawsuit settlement contingent on ratifying a new CBA pic.twitter.com/e0fNlAqECP

— USWNT Players (@USWNTPlayers) February 22, 2022

U.S. Soccer and @USWNT are proudly standing together in a shared commitment to advancing equality in soccer. pic.twitter.com/Sp8q7NY0Up

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) February 22, 2022

What does this mean?

In basic terms, it means the women have the upper hand against the Federation. This is all despite the women being more successful on the field than their male counterparts. If the Federation refuses to abide by their end of the settlement, you could see both sides back in court. The women in the lawsuit are being paid this settlement, but there are contingencies that hang on a ratification of a new CBA and approval of the settlement by U.S. District Judge Gary Klausner. The details could take weeks or months to finalize.

However, for the time being, it is a time to celebrate. But there is still more work to be done to fight the good fight.

"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..."@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 (@GMA) February 22, 2022

It took a lot of work from a lot of people to get us where we are today. Grateful for every person that’s carried this torch. A huge step forward for women everywhere.
https://t.co/jkir7p5pZv

— Christen Press (@ChristenPress) February 22, 2022

This historic agreement will advance women’s soccer, provide the players economic stability, and fund players’ post-career goals.

Thank you to all people who worked tirelessly through the years to get this done. #EqualPay #EqualityForAll https://t.co/9UqlNjM4Xe

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) February 22, 2022

Additional reading:

https://theathletic.com/news/us-soccer-uswnt-players-association-extend-current-cba-through-march/OwIWJWleIxDX/

https://theathletic.com/news/uswnt-players-reach-settlement-with-us-soccer-for-total-of-24-million-in-pay-discrimination-lawsuit/BXmnGmymxK4b/

https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2022/uswnt-settlement-1234666340/