The US Women's Soccer Team Celebrates Their Biggest Win Yet
The United States women's national soccer team has been winning World Cup titles since 1991, per Sports Illustrated. The incredible team has gone on to win three other World Cup titles following the impressive win in the '90s. Now boasting stars like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, their talent and popularity are at an all-time high. In fact, the women's team generates more revenue than the men's team, per CNBC.
While the women's team brings in more fans and money, they aren't respected in the same way their male counterparts are. The team has seen a surge in popularity, with revenue rising to $50.8 million, nearly a million more than the men's team, yet the women see a vast difference in their pay.
Players on the women's team were paid $99,000 at maximum, compared to the $263,320 maximum for the less successful men's players. Of course, the women's team players found this wage difference to be unfair, especially since they bring in more revenue and fanfare. They took their argument to court and now, they are celebrating their biggest team victory in franchise history.
The USWNT just landed equal pay
The United States women's national soccer team is celebrating a huge win for women athletes across the board. After being paid far less than the U.S. men's team, the women took a case to court and are celebrating a victory.
Following their big court win, the soccer team will be paid the same as the men's team, per TODAY. Plus, with a new collective bargaining agreement in place, both teams will divide their World Cup earnings, making the United States Soccer Federation the first group to do so.
Rightfully so, the players are celebrating their victory. The team's captain, Becky Sauerbrunn, shared with TODAY, "I am feeling extreme pride. And to be able to say finally, equal pay for equal work feels very, very good."
United States Soccer president Cindy Parlow explained the terms to the outlet, "It's equalization of World Cup prize money, identical financial terms, including identical game payments, identical revenue sharing for both teams, so identical in every aspect on that front."
The USWNT's lawsuit has prompted more women's national teams to jump in and fight for equal pay. Norway, Australia, and the Netherlands are fighting for equal pay, with their federations promising to make a change, per The New York Times.