US Soccer Federation settled the lawsuit brought forward by women's soccer players who claimed they were being paid inequitably. According to the players, the reason for the pay gap is gender discrimination. The Equal Pay Act stipulates equal pay for people with the same skill and experience. This law also applies for female soccer players.
U.S. Soccer Federation sued women's soccer team
The U.S. Women's National Team brought a lawsuit against U.S. Soccer Federation three years ago over disparities in pay. The players filed a lawsuit against the U.S. soccer Federation accusing it of discrimination and giving lip service equality while offering higher wages to their male counterparts. In May, however, the federation filed a response to the lawsuit in court. It denied that the women were not getting fair pay.
After Carlos Cordeiro, USSF president, quit amid accusations of harassment and discrimination, the lawsuit was filed. Cordeiro had made comments about the skill levels of male and female players, suggesting that male players are more skilled. Cordeiro's remarks were called a "slap on the face" by Cone.
In May 2020, case was dismissed
In May 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled that San Francisco Unified School District had violated the Civil Rights Act of 64 by failing to offer special English language programs for English language learners. The ruling remanded the case for appropriate relief. The district is currently considering whether or not to appeal the decision.
Players claim that the pay gap is caused by gender discrimination
The United States has a number of women's soccer players who claim that the pay gap they have is caused by gender discrimination. They filed a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that their pay was less than that of their male counterparts. The court dismissed their complaint in May 2020. But the players appealed. Their lawsuit was inspired in part by the documentary film "When We Value Women", which highlights the gender disparities in the workplace.
The pay gap in the United States has grown since 1999. In March 2019, 28 women's soccer stars filed a lawsuit against United States soccer federation alleging that the gap in pay is due to gender discrimination. The lawsuit stated that women's soccer players would be paid approximately 38% less per hour than their male counterparts. This lawsuit has set off a new debate about gender discrimination within sports.
Settlement with USSF
According to a recent U.S. Soccer Federation announcement, a lawsuit brought by 28 women from the U.S. women’s soccer team was settled. The lawsuit alleged institutionalized gender discrimination on the part of the USSF, and focused on equal pay and working conditions.
The American public took sides in the lawsuit against women's soccer, citing pay inequalities in women's football. While the federation argued that the women's contract was collectively bargained and that their salaries were the same as those for men, public outrage forced it to abandon that position. Meanwhile, women's players in soccer used their immense popularity and massive social media followings as leverage in their lawsuit.