USWNT Equal Pay Lawsuit One Step Closer to Resolution

The U.S. women’s national team is one step closer to wrapping up its historic equal pay lawsuit.

In February, the sides reached a settlement that, if ratified, would award the women $24 million. 

But in order to close the case, a judge had to approve that settlement. That happened on Thursday, according to spokesperson Molly Levinson, who tweeted that the judge had granted preliminary approval.

The final ratification will come in a December hearing, Levinson said. 

Women’s players won’t have to wait until the winter for fair payouts, however. The settlement precipitated a collective bargaining agreement signed in May, which awarded true equal pay.

• Now, women’s players can expect equal pay for participating in national team competitions.
• The men’s and women’s teams have also agreed to share prize money equally for World Cup berths — a significant decision given that FIFA awards men’s teams more than women’s.

“We look forward to celebrating this hard fought victory for women and girls,” Levinson said.