U.S. soccer men's and women's national teams agree to equal pay

Share

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) reached a historic collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday that grants equal pay for both the men's and women's teams.

The accomplishment makes the USSF the first organization to reward athletes, regardless of sex, with matching compensation.

The terms in the agreement include equal prize money for every competition, including the prestigious FIFA World Cup. For the first time, players will receive identical commercial revenue from money that is pooled from payments at the World Cup, beginning with this fall’s men’s World Cup in Qatar. 

“This is a truly historic moment. These agreements have changed the game forever here in the United States and have the potential to change the game around the world,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “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.”

Moreover, the U.S. Soccer's Senior National Team players continue to be the highest-paid in the world. The agreement includes improvement of player health and safety, data privacy and balancing the club and country duties. Child care, which was originally covered for women during national team training camps and matches, will be extended to men.

“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 Walker Zimmerman, a member of the USNSTPA leadership group. “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.”

Contact Us