The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) started its defense of its World Cup title with a 13-0 thrashing of Thailand that included a pair of goals by former University of Wisconsin star, Rose Lavelle. As the USWNT has piled up goals and wins on the field, all 28 team members have pursued pay equity in a gender discrimination lawsuit off the field.
The women’s lawsuit points out that members of the U.S. men’s team are paid much more, even though they are historically far less successful. According to the lawsuit, the women on the national team make approximately $8,200 less per game than the men on the national team.
It should be noted that while the women are currently defending their World Cup championship, the men’s team failed to even qualify for the most recent men’s World Cup.
The U.S. Soccer Federation denies the USWNT’s allegations of gender discrimination, arguing that the pay gap is “based on differences in the aggregate revenue generated by the different teams and/or any other factor other than sex.”
However, according to the Wall Street Journal, the women’s team is generating more revenue than the men’s team. The publication points out that from 2016 to 2018, the USWNT generated $50.8 million in ticket sales, while the men’s team generated $49.9 million.
According to SB Nation, the men’s team received a cumulative bonus of $5.4 million after making it to the final 16 teams in the 2014 men’s World Cup. By contrast, when the women’s squad won the World Cup in 2015, it received a cumulative bonus of $1.7 million.
A couple of days ago, the Wall Street Journal cited anonymous sources in its report that the USWNT and the U.S. Soccer Federation have “tentatively agreed” to mediation in the gender pay-gap dispute.
Gender discrimination is unacceptable whether a person works in a soccer stadium or a Milwaukee office. With the proper legal help, you can level the playing field.
Contact the law office of Alan C. Olson and Associates to discuss your legal options.
