Saturday, April 18, 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.

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