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 conditional on the USWNT player's union ratifying a new Collective bargainING Agreement, will help stabilize women’s soccer in the United States.
U.S. Soccer reaches an agreement with women's football players
After their lawsuit was settled out-of-court, the USSF settled with women's soccer stars. The lawsuit was brought about by comments made by Carlos Cordeiro, the president of the USSF, about the differences in skill between men and women. Cordeiro claimed that women are better at math than men. However, this was untrue. After the allegations became public, Cordeiro resigned.
The settlement amount is $22,000,000 and will be distributed between 28 USWNT players. The remaining $2 million will go towards 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 soccer team claimed that they were less well paid than men and had to play in more dangerous conditions.
The women's team has enjoyed the same popularity as their male counterparts. They share a combined total of 2.1 Million Instagram followers. Despite negative media coverage surrounding the U.S. Soccer settlement the women's soccer team is still one of America's most beloved sports.
Settlement contingent upon the ratification of a new collective agreement by USWNT player 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. 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 stated that it was willing and able to negotiate, and in November it announced that it had offered the same contract for players as the men’s team. The agreement between the two sides will guarantee equal pay and improve the game in the United States for women.
Future of women’s soccer will be affected by the settlement
A federal judge has overturned many aspects of the lawsuit the USWNT players filed against U.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. This agreement will result in a significant increase for women's soccer teams in base pay and improved match bonuses. Some players could see their income doubled by this change. Not only will players be paid more, but they will also have full control of their licensing and marketing rights.
Future generations will also benefit from the settlement. For instance, the settlement will make it possible for female players to receive the same benefits and travel benefits as men. It will also rebuild trust between players' federations. This will be the first step toward the long-term goal of improving the future of women's soccer.