U.S. Soccer Makes History With Equal Pay Deal

History was made on Wednesday when U.S. Soccer and the men’s and women’s national teams announced a collective bargaining agreement that will see the teams’ athletes receive equal pay.

The agreement, which begins on June 1 and runs through 2028, will see World Cup prize money pooled between both teams and split equally.

Despite participating in nearly every World Cup since 1990, the U.S. men’s team has never won the tournament. The nation’s women have, but haven’t been paid nearly as much as men’s winners.

• France’s men’s team received $38 million after winning the 2018 World Cup.
• The USWNT, which won one year later, only took home $4 million.

The women will have the same pay-to-play payment structure as the men — not all women’s players will have guaranteed salaries. The teams will also split revenue made commercially (10% of revenue between $55 million and $75 million and 15% above $75 million) and at events.

ESPN reported that players will receive the same amounts for the U.S. Soccer Federation-controlled matches: $18,000 for a win, $12,000 for a draw, and $8,000 for a loss if the opposing team is ranked in the top 25.

A Win for Women

The announcement outlined other benefits including equality of venues, accommodations, and team staffing.

The agreement also finalizes the USWNT’s February equal pay settlement, in which the USSF will pay $22 million to the players.