Why the Women’s National Soccer Team Is Suing the U.S. Soccer Federation

Background of the Lawsuit

The United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in March of 2019. The players on the team alleged that the federation was paying them less than the men's national team and providing them with inferior working conditions. The lawsuit was filed under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The USSF has denied the allegations and has said that the women's team is paid less than the men's team because they generate less revenue. However, the women's team has pointed out that they have won more World Cups and Olympic medals than the men's team.

The Pay Gap

The USWNT players are paid less than the men's national team, even though they have been more successful. In 2018, the women's team won the World Cup, while the men's team failed to qualify for the tournament. Despite their success, the women's team was paid $3.1 million in bonuses, while the men's team was paid $8 million. The pay gap is even more pronounced when it comes to salaries. In 2019, the average salary for a USWNT player was $340,000, while the average salary for a USMNT player was $520,000.

The Working Conditions

In addition to the pay gap, the USWNT players have also alleged that they are provided with inferior working conditions compared to the men's team. For example, the women's team has been forced to play on artificial turf, which is more likely to cause injuries, while the men's team plays on grass. The women's team has also been given less training time and fewer resources than the men's team.

The Impact of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by the USWNT has had a significant impact on women's sports in the United States. The lawsuit has raised awareness of the gender pay gap and has led to increased pressure on the USSF to treat the women's team more fairly. The lawsuit has also inspired other women's sports teams to file similar lawsuits. In April of 2019, the women's national hockey team filed a lawsuit against USA Hockey, alleging that they were being paid less than the men's national team.

The Future of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by the USWNT is still ongoing. The trial is scheduled to begin in May of 2020. It is unclear how the lawsuit will be resolved, but it is clear that the lawsuit has already had a significant impact on women's sports in the United States.