US Soccer Federation settled a lawsuit by women's players of soccer alleging they were paid differently. Players claimed that this pay gap was due to gender discrimination. The Equal Pay Act requires equal pay for persons with similar skill and experience. This law is also applicable to female soccer players.
U.S. Soccer Federation sued women's soccer team
Three years ago, the U.S. Women's National Team filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation over pay disparities. In the lawsuit, players claimed that the organization discriminated and gave lip service to equality but paid more to their male counterparts. However, the federation responded to the complaint in a court filing in May, denying that the women were not being paid fairly.
The lawsuit was brought after Carlos Cordeiro - the USSF president - resigned amid sexual harassment allegations and gender discrimination. He had made comments regarding the skill level of male players and female players. This implied that male players have higher levels of skill. Cordeiro's comments were "slap in their faces," Cone, a former USWNT participant, said.
Case dismissed in May 2020
In May 2020 the United States Supreme Court ruled San Francisco Unified school District had broken the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it failed to provide English language classes to English language learners. The case was remanded for the appropriate relief. The district is considering appealing the decision.
Players claim pay gap is due to gender discrimination
United States women's football players claim that their pay gaps are due to gender discrimination. They filed a complaint with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that they were paid less as men. Although the court dismissed the case in May 2020 the players appealed. Their lawsuit was inspired from a documentary called "When We Value Women", that shows the differences women face at work.
The United States has had a higher pay gap since 1999. The United States soccer federation was sued by 28 female soccer players in March 2019. They claim that the pay gap is caused by gender discrimination. According to the lawsuit, players on the women’s soccer team would receive 38% less than their male counterparts. This lawsuit has opened a dialogue about gender discrimination in sport.
Settlement with USSF
According to a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) announcement, a lawsuit that was filed by 28 players of the U.S. female soccer team, titled "Settlement With USSF in women’s soccer lawsuit," has been settled. The suit, which was filed by 28 members of the U.S. women's soccer team, titled "Settlement with USSF in women's soccer lawsuit," alleged institutionalized discrimination on behalf of the USSF. It also focused on equal pay as well as working conditions.
The American public took sides as the lawsuit over women's hockey arose. They cited the inequalities of women's soccer's pay. The federation claimed that the contract for women was collectively bargained, and that their salaries were equal to those of men. However, the public outrage forced them to change their position. Meanwhile, women's soccer players used their popularity and huge social media followings as weapons in their lawsuit.