U.S. Soccer Is Offering The Same Contracts For Its Men’s And Women’s Teams

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In this July 7, 2019, file photo, United States’ Megan Rapinoe lifts up a trophy after winning the Women’s World Cup final soccer match between U.S. and The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France.

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Federal Judge Dismisses U.S. Women’s Soccer Team’s Equal Pay Claim

Some players filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in March 2019, months after the U.S. men’s soccer team failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. The women’s team went on to dominate their 2019 World Cup tournament and win.

A majority of that lawsuit was thrown out last year, but some of the players on the women’s team have since appealed.

The federation went on to say Tuesday, in part, that the proposal will ensure that players for the national teams «remain among the highest paid senior national team players in the world.»

Key pay differences still remain

Another important piece of compensation for the soccer players still needs to be sorted out, according to the federation.

The organization said it would not agree to a new contract with both teams unless «the important step of equalizing FIFA World Cup prize money» is addressed.

FIFA, which hosts the World Cup, has offered $440 million in prize money to teams that take part in the men’s 2022 World Cup. That’s up from $400 million in 2018, according to ESPN. The proposed prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup is $60 million, an increase from $38 million in 2019.

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In this Sept. 5, 2017, file photo, United States’ Christian Pulisic controls the ball during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

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In this Sept. 5, 2017, file photo, United States’ Christian Pulisic controls the ball during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Rebecca Blackwell/AP

The U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association, representing players on the men’s team, have been working under the terms of a contract that expired in 2018.

The U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association’s contract expires at the end of this year.

• U.S. Women’s Soccer
• equal pay
• lawsuit