US Soccer Federation settled the lawsuit brought forward by women's soccer players who claimed they were being paid inequitably. According to the players, this pay gap was the result of gender discrimination. Equal Pay Act demands equal pay for individuals with the same skills and experience. This law applies to female soccer players.
U.S. Soccer Federation was sued by women's soccer team
The U.S. Women's National Team filed suit against the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2005 over pay disparities. The players filed a lawsuit against the U.S. soccer Federation accusing it of discrimination and giving lip service equality while offering higher wages to their male counterparts. However, the federation responded to the complaint in a court filing in May, denying that the women were not being paid fairly.
The lawsuit was filed after Carlos Cordeiro, the USSF president, resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. He had made comments regarding the skill level of male players and female players. This implied that male players have higher levels of skill. Cone, a former USWNT player, called Cordeiro's comments a "slap in the face."
Case was dismissed in May 2020
In May 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled that San Francisco Unified School District had violated the Civil Rights Act of 64 by failing to offer special English language programs for English language learners. The case was remanded for the appropriate relief. The district is currently considering whether it will appeal the decision.
Players claim gender discrimination causes the pay gap
Women's soccer players in the United States are claiming that their pay gap is due to gender discrimination. They filed a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that their pay was less than that of their male counterparts. The court dismissed their complaint in May 2020. But the players appealed. Their lawsuit was inspired in part by the documentary film "When We Value Women", which highlights the gender disparities in the workplace.
The United States' pay gap has increased significantly since 1999. In March 2019, 28 women's soccer stars filed a lawsuit against United States soccer federation alleging that the gap in pay is due to gender discrimination. The lawsuit states that players on the women's team would be paid about 38% less than their male counterparts. This lawsuit has triggered a new conversation on gender discrimination in sports.
Settlement with USSF
According to a U.S. Soccer Federation's recent announcement, a suit filed by 28 female players of the U.S. soccer team, titled “Settlement with USSF women's football lawsuit,” will be settled. The lawsuit, which alleged institutionalized gender-discrimination by the USSF, focused on equal wages and working conditions.
As the case against women's sports soccer progressed, the American public sided with the federation, citing the inequality in pay for women's soccer. Although the federation claimed the women's contract was collectively negotiated and their salaries were the exact same as for men, it was forced to give up that argument by public outrage. The lawsuit was fought by women's soccer players who used their social media followings and their popularity to their advantage.