InfoSearched
Published -
- August 6, 2019
- 1:57 am
Calls for pay equality.
After winning a fourth World Cup earlier this month, there’s no doubt the United States National Team is the most formidable in international women’s football.
What broader conversation has the US Women’s national team’s fight for pay equality led to, and how has it inspired other female athletes to speak out as well?
The US Women’s national football team has been at the forefront of a movement towards pay equality in sports. Despite being world champions, the team has been fighting for equal pay to their male counterparts for years.
In March 2019, all 28 members of the US Women’s national team filed a class-action lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation, citing discrimination based on gender. The lawsuit alleged that the women’s team was being paid less than the men’s team despite having better results and generating more revenue. The lawsuit also highlighted the disparities in travel, playing, and training conditions between the two teams.
The US Women’s team has a long history of success, winning four Olympic gold medals and four FIFA Women’s World Cup titles. They are arguably the most successful women’s football team in history. They consistently draw large crowds and generate significant revenue for US Soccer. Despite this, the players earn far less than their male counterparts. In 2018, the women’s team earned a maximum of $260,869 per player for winning the World Cup, while the men’s team would’ve earned $1.1 million per player for the same feat.
In addition to their lawsuit, the US Women’s national team has been vocal about their fight for equal pay. During the World Cup in 2019, the players wore jerseys with the message “Equal Pay” on the back. They also received support from numerous public figures, including politicians and celebrities.
The US Women’s national team’s fight for pay equality is not just about their own team. It has led to a broader conversation about gender discrimination in sports and has inspired other female athletes to speak out as well. Recently, the WNBA players’ union announced that they would be opting out of their current Collective Bargaining Agreement in order to negotiate for higher wages and better working conditions.
The US Women’s national team’s fight for equal pay is about more than just money. It’s about recognizing the value and importance of women’s sports and the athletes who play them. As Megan Rapinoe, one of the team’s most outspoken members, has said, “We deserve this. We have earned this. This is not about just one tournament. It’s about a generation of players who have dedicated their entire lives to this sport.”
In conclusion, the US Women’s national team’s fight for pay equality is an important and necessary struggle. It is inspiring to see these exceptional athletes use their platform to advocate for gender equality not just in sports, but in all fields. It’s time for football and other sports to recognize the value of women’s teams and pay them fairly. Only then can we truly say that we are striving towards equality for all.
