US Soccer Federation settled a lawsuit by women's players of soccer alleging they were paid differently. Players claimed that this pay gap was due to gender discrimination. Equal Pay Act provides equal pay for persons of similar skill and experience. This law also applies female soccer players.
U.S. Soccer Federation was sued by women's soccer team
Three years ago, U.S. Women's National Team sued the U.S. Soccer Federation for pay disparities. The lawsuit was filed by the players against the U.S. Soccer Federation. They claimed the organization discriminated and offered lip service in equality, but gave their male counterparts a higher salary. In a May court file, the federation denied that women were not being paid equally.
After Carlos Cordeiro, USSF President, resigned amid claims of sexual harassment, and gender discrimination, the lawsuit was brought. He had made comments about male and feminine players' skill levels, suggesting that male players were more skilled. Cordeiro's remarks were a "slap in your face" by Cone, an ex-USWNT player.
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 to the court for any appropriate relief. The district is currently considering whether to appeal the decision.
Players claim gender discrimination causes the pay gap
The United States has a number of women's soccer players who claim that the pay gap they have is caused by gender discrimination. They have filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that they were paid less than their male counterparts. In May 2020, however, the court dismissed them. The players appealed. Their lawsuit was inspired from a documentary called "When We Value Women", that shows the differences women face at work.
The pay gap in the United States has grown 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. According to the lawsuit, women's players will be paid around 38% less that their male counterparts. This lawsuit has triggered a new conversation on gender discrimination in sports.
Settlement with USSF
A lawsuit was filed by 28 U.S. women's team soccer players. It was titled "Settlement in USSF in women’s Soccer Lawsuit." According to a U.S. Soccer Federation, it will be settled. The lawsuit, which alleged institutionalized gender-discrimination by the USSF, focused on equal wages and working conditions.
The American public took sides in the lawsuit against women's soccer, citing pay inequalities in women's football. While the federation argued that the women's contract was collectively bargained and that their salaries were the same as those for men, public outrage forced it to abandon that position. The lawsuit was fought by women's soccer players who used their social media followings and their popularity to their advantage.