In the interim, the U.S. Soccer Federation agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by women soccer players. A group of female players filed the lawsuit against the league, claiming that it discriminates against them. 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 agrees to a settlement with women's soccer players
After their lawsuit was settled outside of court, the USSF has reached an agreement with women's football players. Carlos Cordeiro, USSF's president, commented on the differences in skill between women & men. This led to the lawsuit. Cordeiro claimed that men had more skills than women. This was incorrect. Cordeiro resigned from his position after the allegations were made public.
The settlement is $22 million and will be distributed to 28 players on the USWNT. The remaining $2 million will go towards a women's soccer charity. The settlement settles litigation filed against the USSF in 2019 on grounds of gender discrimination within the United States soccer association. 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 has become just as popular as their male counterparts. Their combined Instagram followers are 2.1 million. Despite negative publicity surrounding the U.S. Soccer settlement and the loss of their women's team, it remains one among the most popular sports in America.
Settlement contingent upon the ratification of a new collective agreement by USWNT player association
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 victory for gender equality in soccer. The parties have agreed on extending the current CBA to March 31, at which time 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 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 player association representing the USWNT filed in March 2016 a complaint with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming that the USWNT was discriminatory. US Soccer, despite dismissing the complaint in March 2016, indicated that it was open to negotiations and announced in November that they had offered the same contracts to players as the men's soccer team. Both sides came to an agreement that would ensure equal pay for all players and improve the game of soccer for women in America.
The impact of settlement on the future of women's football
A federal judge threw out many aspects the lawsuit brought by the USWNT against U.S. Football. It is not clear if the settlement will impact the future development of women's soccer within the United States. But it does indicate that the USWNT will be paid equally for World Cup wins and 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. It means that women's team will be able to earn an increase in their base salary and match bonuses. Some players may see this as doubling their income. Not only will players be paid more, but they will also have full control of their licensing and marketing rights.
It also supports 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.