Monday, June 15, 2026
Law

USWNT Equal Pay Lawsuit One Step Closer to Resolution

  • A judge granted preliminary approval to a settlement reached in February.
  • Though not official, women’s players will receive equal pay due to a CBA agreement reached as a result of the lawsuit.
Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

America’s World Cup Opening Weekend Was (Mostly) a Success

Attendance is high even though tickets were pricey.
June 14, 2026; Monterrey, Mexico; Sweden's Mattias Svanberg celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates following a VAR check.

Gareth Bale Says the ‘Normal Fan’ Is Being Priced Out of World Cup

Of 48 teams competing, 26 have average get-in prices of higher than $1,000.

World Cup Opens With Record TV Audiences for Fox, Telemundo

Viewership soared on both English- and Spanish-language platforms.

USMNT Gets Dream World Cup Opener in Los Angeles

The opener was as electric and decisive as the U.S. hoped.

Featured Today

Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Jun 11, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; The UFC octagon ”The Claw” on the White House South Lawn during a press tour for the UFC Freedom 250 at White House. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

Judge Rejects Bid to Stop UFC White House Show

The judge cited UFC’s $60 million spend while siding with the government.
June 10, 2026

DOJ Pushes Back on Legal Fight to Halt UFC White House Event

The government highlights what it sees as a “starkly mismatched balance of harms.”
New Mexico United fans wave the team's flag at the Locomotive's home opener game Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Southwest Univerity Park in El Paso, Texas.
Exclusive
June 12, 2026

Trump Admin Targets New Mexico With Prediction-Market Lawsuit

New Mexico is the eighth state recently sued by the CFTC.
Sponsored

How Long Acre Tavern Is Built to Handle Soccer’s Biggest Moments

Learn how Spectrum Business helps keep Long Acre Tavern in Times Square connected and ready to serve soccer fans from around the world.
June 9, 2026

Two More Elite Sprinters Sue Puma Over Shoe Injuries

Sprinters Champion Allison and Damion Thomas Jr. both sued Puma.
Exclusive
June 8, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Sela Sues Fanatics Studios Over Flag Football Event

The suit currently remains under seal.
June 8, 2026

Vince McMahon Cuts Last-Minute Deal in Suit Seeking Misconduct Docs

The trial was set to begin Monday.
Oct 26, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives the baseline against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images
June 3, 2026

Terry Rozier Rips Ruling That Blocked Most of $26.6M Deal

The former Heat guard says release conditions jeopardize his NBA future.