The United States Women’s National Team Players Association has pushed for equal pay and after a long process working with the United States National Soccer Team Players Association (USNSTPA) and U.S. Soccer, a first-of-their kind collective bargaining agreement has been reached.
Equal pay between the USWNT and USMNT has been agreed upon, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday. The new CBA, which is set to run through 2028, will ensure that U.S. Soccer’s Senior National Team players remain among the highest paid in the world.
Also included in the new CBA, U.S. Soccer became the first Federation in the world to equalize FIFA World Cup prize money awarded to the USWNT and USMNT for participation in their respective World Cups. The respective unions will receive 90% of the FIFA bonuses paid at the 2022 and 2023 World Cups and 80% of the bonuses at the 2026 and 2027 editions. All of the funds paid out from those bonus pools will be split evenly among the two national teams.
“This is a truly historic moment,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “These agreements have changed the game forever here in the United States and have the potential to change the game around the world. U.S. Soccer and the USWNT and USMNT players have reset their relationship with these new agreements and are leading us forward to an incredibly exciting new phase of mutual growth and collaboration as we continue our mission to become the preeminent sport in the United States.
“I am grateful for the commitment and collaboration of both the men’s and women’s National Teams and I am incredibly proud of the hard work that has led to this moment,” added Cone. “Everyone who cares about our sport should share in this pride as we look forward to working together to grow soccer for generations to come.”
The USWNT will now have the same pay-to-play payment structure as the USMNT has previously had. For matches that U.S. Soccer controls, mainly friendlies, players will receive $18,000 for a win, $12,000 for a draw and $8,000 for a loss if the opponent is ranked in the top 25 of FIFA’s rankings. For all other opponents, the amounts are $13,000 for a win, $10,000 for a draw and $8,000 for a defeat. For World Cup matches, each player will receive a $10,000 game bonus, plus an additional $14,000 for a win or $10,000 for a tie.
In addition, the USWNT will also receive fringe benefits including insurance, parental leave, and short-term disability.
“They said equal pay for men and women was not possible, but that did not stop us and we went ahead and achieved it,” said USMNT player and member of the USNSTPA leadership group Walker Zimmerman. “We hope this will awaken others to the need for this type of change, and will inspire FIFA and others around the world to move in the same direction.”
“The accomplishments in this CBA are a testament to the incredible efforts of WNT players on and off the field,” said USWNT player and USWNTPA President Becky Sauerbrunn. “The gains we have been able to achieve are both because of the strong foundation laid by the generations of WNT players that came before the current team and through our union’s recent collaboration with our counterparts at the USNSTPA and leadership at U.S. Soccer. We hope that this agreement and its historic achievements in not only providing for equal pay but also in improving the training and playing environment for National Team players will similarly serve as the foundation for continued growth of women’s soccer both in the United States and abroad.”
and it’s working…….
https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/barcelona-real-madrid-womens-champions-league-dazn-youtube-viewership/
here’s a taste of what’s going on in Europe re. Women’s Football at the club level, but the message is similar; investing in women’s football because it’s a good bet.
https://www.sportspromedia.com/from-the-magazine/womens-football-wsl-uefa-champions-league-fa-sky-sports-dazn-youtube-broadcast/
“The train has left the station, the last few doubters tried to jump on it. Let’s see if they will make it,” she said during an interview with DAZN back in June. “This deal is a first because we must be honest to ourselves that it was quite difficult to view our matches and it’s the first time that we will bring the Women’s Champions League to the world, to the fans, to the people who love and care for this game and should be able to watch it.
“This was never there before and it’s really showing that people have realised the potential in this sport and what’s possible with it.” –Nadine Kessler
Can you explain in greater detail about how the men got what they wanted in per game payouts, and how that offsets having their WC prize money split? I really don’t get what was in it for the men and being a cynic am very doubtful that the men agreed to the deal due to altruism.
It was time for the USSF to make peace and negotiate fairly with both the men’s and women’s unions. That is the key takeaway for this agreement.
After reading the details, the women should be very satisfied. After agreeing to the same performance-based plan as the men, and with a 50-50 revenue split going forward. If I understand the WC payouts correctly, the women will realize more revenue this year with the men in the 2022 WC than when they won it all in 2019. But the men got what they wanted in per-game payouts. This should put it all to rest.
Can you explain in greater detail about how the men got what they wanted in per game payouts, and how that offsets having their WC prize money split? I really don’t get what was in it for the men and being a cynic am very doubtful that the men agreed to the deal due to altruism.
The majority of fans watch Football to see the best players compete at the highest level (men’s football). Fan’s choose to attend, watch and create advertising interest in men’s football. US Soccer takes money from the competition at the highest level and gives half of it (un-earned) to the group of players that don’t compete at that highest level. Equity.
It probably is true the USMNT players have not earned and don’t deserve anymore money for international play. I am sure they are happy to give their money up.