The U.S. Soccer Federation has agreed to settle a women's soccer lawsuit, pending the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with the USWNT players' union. A group representing female soccer players filed the suit against the league. The settlement, contingent on the USWNT's players' union ratifying a new collective agreement, will stabilize women's soccer in America.
U.S. soccer settles with women’s soccer players
After their lawsuit was resolved out of court, USSF has now reached a settlement agreement with women's players. Carlos Cordeiro, president of the USSF made comments about the difference in skill between women and men that led to the lawsuit. Cordeiro said that the men have more skills than the women do, and that was not true. After the allegations were made public, Cordeiro quit his job.
The settlement amount is $22,000,000 and will be distributed between 28 USWNT players. The remaining $2 million will support a women’s soccer charity. This settlement is the result of litigation that was filed against USSF in 2019. It was based on allegations that the USSF discriminates against women. The women's team argued that they were underpaid in comparison to men and were subjected to more dangerous playing conditions.
The women's team has enjoyed the same popularity as their male counterparts. Their combined Instagram followers are 2.1 million. Despite negative press surrounding U.S. Soccer settlements, the women's football team remains one of most popular in the United States.
Settlement contingent on ratification of new collective bargaining agreement by USWNT players association
The United States Soccer Federation reached a tentative agreement with the USWNT Players Association. This is subject to the ratification a new collective bargaining arrangement. The settlement is a major win in favor of gender equality. The parties have agreed that the CBA will be extended through March 31, after which the parties will seek final approval.
The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the U.S. Soccer Federation and the USWNT players' union will guarantee that both teams will have equal pay and working conditions in December 2020. The settlement will also make the women's and men’s teams pay according their performance. Both teams will be paid equally via pay-to-play.
A USWNT player group filed a complaint against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in March 2016. The complaint claimed that the USWNT was being unfairly discriminated. US Soccer, despite dismissing the complaint in March 2016, indicated that it was open to negotiations and announced in November that they had offered the same contracts to players as the men's soccer team. The two sides made an agreement that will ensure equal pay for players and improve the game for women in the United States.
Impact of settlement on future of women's soccer
A federal judge has thrown out many aspects of the lawsuit that the USWNT players brought against U.S. Soccer. The settlement won't have any impact on the future American women's soccer. It does however indicate that the USWNT will receive equal compensation for World Cup wins as for other competitive events. The new collective bargaining arrangement of the USWNT will have to be approved and implemented by the district court.
The players' collective bargaining agreement has been a win-win for women's soccer. This agreement will result in a significant increase for women's soccer teams in base pay and improved match bonuses. This could increase the income of some players by up to twofold. Aside from the higher salaries, players will be able now to have control over their marketing and licensing rights.
The settlement provides support for future generations. The settlement will allow female players to enjoy the same travel and benefits as their male counterparts. It will also strengthen the trust between players, federations, and each other. This will be the first step toward the long-term goal of improving the future of women's soccer.