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Outspoken liberal activist and U.S. professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe appeared on NBC News and other outlets decrying alleged gender discrimination and demanding “equal pay.”
For the first time ever, an American national sport governing body has promised both sexes matching money.
Caving to pressure, the U.S. Soccer Federation reached this milestone agreement to pay its men’s and women’s teams equally after some players filed a gender discrimination lawsuit in 2019.
U.S. forward Margaret Purce said, “I feel a lot of pride for the girls who are going to see this growing up, and recognize their value rather than having to fight for it. However, my dad always told me that you don’t get rewarded for doing what you’re supposed to do — and paying men and women equally is what you’re supposed to do.”
“So I’m not giving out any gold stars, but I’m grateful for this accomplishment and for all the people who came together to make it so,” she added.
More on this story via NY Post:
The federation previously based bonuses on payments from FIFA, which earmarked $400 million for the 2018 men’s tournament, including $38 million to champion France, and $30 million for the 2019 women’s tournament, including $4 million to the champion United States.
FIFA has increased the total to $440 million for the 2022 men’s World Cup, and its president, Gianni Infantino, has proposed that FIFA double the women’s prize money to $60 million for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, in which FIFA has increased the teams to 32.
For the current World Cup cycles, the USSF will pool the FIFA funds, taking 10% off the top and then splitting the rest equally among 46 players — 23 players on the roster of each team. For the 2026-27 cycle, the USSF cut increases to 20% before the split.
After missing the 2018 World Cup, the men qualified for this year’s World Cup in Qatar starting in November. The women’s team will seek to qualify this year for the 2023 World Cup, cohosted by Australia and New Zealand.
For lesser tournaments, such as those run by the governing body of North America, players will earn identical game bonuses. And for exhibition games, players will receive matching appearance fees and performance payments based on the match result and opponent rank. Players who don’t dress will earn a fee that is the equivalent of participating in a national team training camp.
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