The U.S. Soccer Federation has reached an agreement to settle a case involving women's soccer. This is in the meantime of the ratification by the USWNT players' union of a new collective arbitration agreement. A group representing female soccer players filed the suit against the league. The settlement, which is contingent on ratification of a new collective bargainING agreement by the USWNT players' union, will help stabilize women's soccer in the United States.
U.S. Football settles with women’s players
After their court case was dismissed, the USSF reached a settlement with female soccer 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, Cordeiro resigned.
The settlement is $22 million and will be distributed to 28 players on the USWNT. The remaining $2 million will support a women’s soccer charity. The settlement resolves litigation that was filed in 2019 against the USSF on the grounds that gender discrimination exists in the United States soccer federation. The women's side argued that they were paid less than the men and faced more dangerous playing conditions.
The women's team is just as popular than their male counterparts. They have combined 2.1million Instagram followers. Despite the negative press surrounding the U.S. Soccer settlement, the women's team remains one of the most popular sports in the United States.
Settlement contingent upon ratification by the USWNT players association of a new collective bargaining arrangement
The United States Soccer Federation, the USWNT Players Association and the United States Soccer Federation came to a tentative settlement. This agreement is contingent on the ratification by the new collective bargaining agreements. This settlement is a huge win for gender equality. Parties have agreed to extend current CBA through March 31. After that, they will seek final approval.
New collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) between the U.S. Soccer Federation, the USWNT players' union and the U.S. Soccer Federation will guarantee equal pay and working conditions for both teams 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.
In March 2016, a player association representing the USWNT filed a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that the USWNT had been unfairly discriminated against. 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. They reached an agreement that will ensure equal pay to players and better the game for women in the United States.
Impact of settlement on future of women's soccer
A federal judge dismissed many aspects in the lawsuit filed by USWNT soccer players against U.S.S. Soccer. It's unclear whether the settlement will affect the future of women's soccer in the United States. However, it does indicate that the USWNT would be paid equal for World Cup wins and other competitive events. The USWNT's latest collective bargaining deal will need to be approved in court.
Women's soccer has won with the players' collective bargaining arrangement. It will mean that women's soccer teams will receive a significant rise in their base pay as well as better match bonuses. This could increase the income of some players by up to twofold. Not only will players be paid more, but they will also have full control of their licensing and marketing rights.
The settlement also provides support for future generations. Female players will be able to get the same benefits and travel benefits that men. It will also rebuild trust between players' federations. This is the first step towards the long-term goal to improve women's soccer's future.