The U.S. Soccer Federation has reached an agreement to settle a case involving women's soccer. This is in the meantime of the ratification by the USWNT players' union of a new collective arbitration agreement. The lawsuit was filed by a group of players who believe that the league is discriminating against women players. The settlement, contingent on the USWNT's players' union ratifying a new collective agreement, will stabilize women's soccer in America.
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 the USSF president, made the remarks about the differences in skill among men and women. Cordeiro claimed that men had more skills than women. This was incorrect. After the allegations were made, Cordeiro resigned.
The settlement is $22,000,000, and will go to 28 USWNT athletes. The $2 million remainder will go to 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 claimed they were not paid as much as men and that they were exposed to more dangerous playing conditions.
The women's teams are just as popular and well-known as their male counterparts. Their combined Instagram followers are 2.1 million. Despite negative media coverage surrounding the U.S. Soccer settlement the women's soccer team is still one of America's most beloved sports.
Settlement contingent on the ratification a new collective bargaining agreement of USWNT players
The United States Soccer Federation reached a tentative agreement with the USWNT Players Association. This is subject to the ratification a new collective bargaining arrangement. The settlement is a major win for gender equality in the game. The parties have agreed that the CBA will be extended through March 31, after which the parties 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 USWNT player group filed a complaint against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in March 2016. The complaint claimed that the USWNT was being unfairly discriminated. US Soccer stated that it was willing and able to negotiate, and in November it announced that it had offered the same contract for players as the men’s team. The two sides made an agreement that will ensure equal pay for players and improve the game for women in the United States.
Impact of settlement on future of women's soccer
A federal judge has overturned many aspects of the lawsuit the USWNT players filed against U.S. Soccer. The settlement won't have any impact on the future American women's soccer. However, the settlement indicates that the USWNT won't be paid for World Cup wins or other competitive events. The USWNT's new collective bargaining agreement will have to be approved by the district court.
The players' collective bargaining agreement has been a win-win for women's soccer. It means that women's team will be able to earn an increase in their base salary and match bonuses. This could double the income of some players. In addition to the increased salaries, the players will also now be able to exercise control over their licensing and marketing rights.
The settlement will also support future generations. Female players will be able to get the same benefits and travel benefits that men. It will also help to restore trust between players and federations. This is the first step towards the long-term goal to improve women's soccer's future.