US Women’s Soccer Team Reaches Agreement Ensuring Gender Pay Equality

Hailey Lotz

June 2, 2022

On Wednesday, May 18, the United States’ National Women’s Soccer Team reached a groundbreaking agreement with the US Soccer Federation ensuring they receive equal pay to that of the players on the men’s team. This new agreement is set to run through 2028.

The deal promises equalization of prize money from the US men and women’s teams respective World Cup appearances, equivalent appearance fees for friendly games, and equal bonuses based on team performances and the rank of their opponents. This agreement makes the US Soccer Federation the first to equalize prize money between men and women’s teams.

The US Soccer President, Cindy Cone, commented, “No other country has ever done this… I think everyone should be really proud of what we’ve accomplished here. It really, truly, is historic.”

Previously, the women’s team has received a guaranteed salary, while the men’s team was paid based on achievement. Now, they will both be given equal bonuses for accomplishments.

US Soccer also promises single-game payments of $18,000 per player for most games and up to $24,000 per player in some very important tournaments. 90% of money the federation receives from FIFA for sending teams to the next two World Cups will be distributed to the players.

Additionally, the federation stated that it will pay for child care during the men’s team’s camps and tournaments instead of just the women’s. It also promises equal playing venues, staffing, charter flights, and hotel accommodations between the sexes.

This collective bargaining agreement required willing participation of the men’s team even though they will receive less money.

Walker Zimmerman, a professional male soccer player and member of the Players’ Association Leadership Group, said, “The immediate reaction was, ‘Wait, we're going to give up what we already have?’... I totally understand the immediate frustrations. But getting to where we are, I think everyone is really proud to get this deal done and be the first to do it (in the world).”

The deal can soon deliver a $24 million settlement reached in February, 2022, largely for back pay, to settle the gender discrimination lawsuit. This money was contingent on reaching a new collective bargaining agreement formalizing equal pay.

These advances come as a result of a campaign beginning six years ago by a group of US female soccer players for combatting “institutionalized gender discrimination” by US soccer. They argued that they were paid less for decades even though they won world championships and Olympic gold medals while the men’s team underperformed.

Midge Purce, a member of the Collective bargaining Committee for the Women’s Players’ Association, said, “I feel a lot of pride that there are going to be girls who are going to grow up and see what we’ve accomplished and recognize their value instead of having to fight to see it themselves.”