The U.S. Women’s National Team’s collective bargaining agreement with U.S. Soccer expires at the end of the year, and, with negotiations ongoing, the players have parted ways with a key figure.
With just days remaining before the expiration, the USWNT players announced that they have parted ways with union council Rich Nichols. Nichols, who was named executive director of the players association in 2014, had been representing the players in negotiations.
“We thank Rich for his service, and wish him well,” the players said in a statement. “We are focused on productive conversations with U.S. Soccer regarding our future. We are also grateful for the tremendous ongoing support for women’s soccer from all of our beloved fans worldwide, and look forward to seeing everyone over the course of the NWSL season, as well as at the 2017 SheBelieves Cup in March.”
The issue of salary equality has been a tumultuous one throughout negotiations, as several high-profile USWNT stars have spoken out regarding wage discrimination. Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo filed a complaint on behalf of the team in March accusing U.S. Soccer of wage discrimination.
Its like comparing apples and bananas and his has nothing to do with tournament wins its just economics
The women can rightfully ask for the same appearance fee, per diem, travel accommodations,…in other words the basics. USSF would be foolish not to provide these things on equal terms. Beyond that,…the women are kidding themselves if they think they are are going to get the same type of bonus structure. The revenues are just not there for the women’s tournaments. Sorry,…but it’s just economics. As far as salaries are concerned, well there is no comparison. The US women are fortunate that the USSF has the kind of money available to provide them with any sort of national team pool contract. Is there a comparator? Does the DBF pay there women a salary to be part of the pool? If so, is it materially larger than what the US women are paid on a salary basis?
Seems like a desperate move and not really a sign the women are going to get what they want.
Well, if the USWNT wants a better deal than they have now, maybe they should try the Teamsters.
All the women at my local Costco Store seem to be happy with what they get. But the USWNT needs to remember when they bailed out of a BIG tournament in Australia, way back when, and U S A Soccer sent the U-21 Team in its place. The U-21 team won the Tournament, and the “Strike” was effectively broken, with regular team including Mia Hamm returning to action with nothing more than they had before. I don’t blame the women for the Olympic loss, but rather the coaching staff for POOR personnel decisions. If the USWNT is going to get more $$$$, they will need to have
more BIG Tournaments like they have in Europe, and not just 2 Biggees every 4 years. We need to have a COPA America in the year following the Olympics, as well as a Club Championship for the America’s or else the U S Women’s Pro League will continue to be nothing more than a D-League.