U.S. Female Soccer team sues Soccer Federation

pbrizak
Mar 30, 2016
2 min read

In March of this year, the U.S. Women's Soccer team filed suit against the U.S. Soccer Federation for wage discrimination. The men's team, which is historically mediocre, gets paid significantly more than the women's team, who has many major championships under their belt. Citing this disparity, as well as the rising revenue numbers, five players on the women's team filed a federal complaint accusing the U.S. Soccer Federation. These women say they earned as little as 40 percent of what the players on the men's team earned, even after winning their third World Cup championship in 2015. It seems apparent they are being short changed on everything compared to these men.

The U.S. Soccer officials have pushed back forcefully against these players citing figures that the federation claims the men's national team produced revenue and attendance about double that of the women's team and that their television ratings were multiple of what the women attract. These numbers seems to be inaccurate seeing as the women's team has won many championship, which brings more viewers and revenue in.

The women's team counter claimed with financial reports as proof that they have become the federation's main source of income and they often only earn half as much or less than their male counterparts. Due to the women's team 2015 World Cup championship, the women's team exceeded revenue projections by as much as $16 millions, and should rightly be compensated for it.

With many championship titles underneath their belts these women are certain to keep bringing in revenue for the federation and need to be compensated for it. Clearly this team is a better and stronger team than the men's team, and should be treated as such.