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. The lawsuit was filed by a group of players who believe that the league is discriminating against women players. The settlement is contingent upon the ratification by the USWNT players union of a new collective bargainING arrangement. This will help stabilize women soccer in the United States.
U.S. Soccer settles with women's soccer players
After their lawsuit was resolved out of court, USSF has now reached a settlement agreement with women's players. Carlos Cordeiro (the president of USSF) made the comments about the skill differences between men and women that led to the lawsuit. Cordeiro claimed that women are better at math than men. However, this was untrue. Cordeiro resigned from his position after the allegations were made public.
The settlement amount is $22,000,000 and will be distributed between 28 USWNT players. 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 team argued that they were underpaid in comparison to men and were subjected to more dangerous playing conditions.
The women's team is just as popular than their male counterparts. Their combined Instagram followers are 2.1 million. 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 on the ratification a new collective bargaining agreement of USWNT players
The United States Soccer Federation was able to reach a tentative deal with the USWNT Players Association. However, this settlement is subject to the ratification or modification of a collective bargaining agreement. The settlement is a major win for gender equality in the game. Both parties have reached an agreement to extend the current CBA until March 31. At that point, the parties will seek final approval for the settlement.
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 allows both men and women to be paid according the their performance. In addition, both teams will get equal pay through the pay-to–play system.
A USWNT player association filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in March 2016 claiming that the USWNT was unfairly discriminated. US Soccer was willing to negotiate and stated in November that players were offered contracts similar to those for the men's teams. 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 women's soccer in the future
A federal judge has overturned many aspects of the lawsuit the USWNT players filed against U.S. Soccer. It is not clear if the settlement will impact the future development of women's soccer within the United States. It does however indicate that the USWNT will receive equal compensation for World Cup wins as for other competitive events. The new collective bargaining arrangement of the USWNT will have to be approved and implemented by the district 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. This could increase the income of some players by up to twofold. Aside from the higher salaries, players will be able now to have control over their marketing and licensing rights.
The settlement provides support for future generations. Settlements will enable female players to have the same travel benefits and benefits as male players. It will also improve trust between players and federations. This will be a first step towards the long term goal of improving the future women's soccer.