Home » Latest » Soccer » Pay equality at the forefront of the USWNT parade | First Take

Pay equality at the forefront of the USWNT parade | First Take

4

InfoSearched 132 0 Soccer

7.5

SaveSavedRemoved 0

The U.S. Women’s National Team’s New York City ticker-tape parade served as a high-profile stage for the squad’s intensifying legal battle over gender pay equity.

Following their 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup final, the U.S. Women’s National Team returned to New York City on July 10, 2019, for a ticker-tape parade through the “Canyon of Heroes.” While the event celebrated the team’s fourth world title, the festivities were defined by the squad’s ongoing legal fight against the U.S. Soccer Federation over claims of systemic gender discrimination.

• Twenty-eight players filed a federal class-action lawsuit on March 8, 2019, alleging the USSF maintains unequal pay and working conditions compared to the men’s national team.
• During the ceremony at City Hall, fans repeatedly drowned out USSF President Carlos Cordeiro with chants of “Equal pay!” and “Pay them!”
• USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe publicly challenged the federation leadership during the event, asking, “Carlos, what are we going to do about it?”

Public Pressure and Political Momentum

The celebration became a rallying point for equal pay advocates, with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, joining the crowd in chanting, “U.S.A., equal pay!” The political pressure surrounding the parade was heightened by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who signed legislation expanding equal pay protections in the state just hours before the event, explicitly citing the players’ struggle as his inspiration.

Golden Boot winner Megan Rapinoe challenged officials, asking, “What are we going to do about it? Carlos, what are we going to do about it?”

The discord between the players and the federation remained public throughout July. On July 29, 2019, Cordeiro issued an open letter asserting that the USWNT had received $34.1 million in total compensation over the previous decade, compared to $26.4 million for the men’s squad. A spokesperson for the players, Molly Levinson, immediately rejected these figures, describing the federation’s calculation as a “ruse” that failed to account for the specific benefits and structures provided to the men’s team.

The Legal Standoff

Despite the public friction, both parties have agreed to pursue a resolution through formal mediation. As of early August 2019, the litigation regarding gender pay equity remains the central point of contention for soccer officials and the players association. The outcome of these upcoming discussions will determine whether the parties can move past the current impasse without further court intervention.

With mediation scheduled to begin, the USWNT players are moving forward with their demands for equal pay rates and structural parity, pressing the federation to address the significant compensation gap that has persisted despite the team’s record-setting performance on the pitch.