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 requires equal pay for persons with similar skill and experience. This law applies to female soccer players.
U.S. Soccer Federation is being sued by women's football team
Three years ago, U.S. Women's National Team sued the U.S. Soccer Federation for pay disparities. The players alleged that the U.S. Soccer Federation discriminated against them and paid lip service to equality, while paying their male counterparts higher salaries. In a May court file, the federation denied that women were not being paid equally.
The suit was filed after Carlos Cordeiro (USSF president) resigned amid allegations that he had been subject to sexual harassment and discrimination. He had made comments about male and feminine players' skill levels, suggesting that male players were more skilled. Cone, a former USWNT player, called Cordeiro's comments a "slap in the face."
In May 2020, case was dismissed
The United States Supreme Court ruled in May 2020 that the San Francisco Unified School District violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to provide special English language programs to English language learners. The case was remanded for the 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 complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming they were paid less than their male counterparts. In May 2020, however, the court dismissed them. The players appealed. Their lawsuit was inspired and motivated by "When We Value Women", a documentary that shows the inequalities faced by women at work.
In the United States, the pay gap has increased since 1999. 28 women soccer players filed a lawsuit in March 2019 against the United States soccer Federation alleging that the pay disparity is caused by gender discrimination. The lawsuit states that players on the women's team would be paid about 38% less than their male counterparts. This lawsuit has triggered a new conversation on gender discrimination in sports.
Settlement with USSF
According to a U.S. Soccer Federation's recent announcement, a suit filed by 28 female players of the U.S. soccer team, titled “Settlement with USSF women's football lawsuit,” will be 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 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 players in soccer used their immense popularity and massive social media followings as leverage in their lawsuit.