The USA Women National Team (USWNT) has settled its class action lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation for a total of $24 million, the two sides announced on Tuesday.
With $22M of the settlement going to the players – contingent on a new CBA deal being ratified, and $2 million into a fund dedicated to players’ post-playing careers and charitable endeavors where each player will be able to apply for up to $50,000 from the fund.
The $22 million due to players will be distributed in a manner decided by players and approved by the district court.
The U.S. Soccer has also committed to providing an equal rate of pay going forward for the Women’s and Men’s national teams in all friendlies and tournaments.
The equal pay battle dates back to early 2016 when U.S. players first took their battle public and complaint filed to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, litigation of the case has been pending since 2019. Players were scheduled to present their latest round of appeals on March 7 after losing key battles in previous rulings, but both parties have requested that be removed from the calendar.
Megan Rapinoe who championed the campaign described it as, “A monumental win for women’s sports and women’s soccer, in particular.”
According to equalizersoccer.com, final approval of the settlement will be scheduled once a new CBA is ratified between the federation and the USWNT Players Association, litigation will be fully resolved, bringing an end to the six-year fight.
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