Five top US women footballers sue for better pay

BBC Sport


Five senior members of the World Cup-winning US football team have filed a lawsuit against the national federation for wage discrimination


Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Hope Solo say they are paid less than half of what the male USA players receive. "The numbers speak for themselves," said goalkeeper Solo in a statement.

The US Soccer Federation said it was disappointed, given the work it had done in building the women's game. American women's football has dominated the international game in recent decades, with a string of titles.

"We are the best in the world, have three World Cup Championships, four Olympic Championships, and the USMNT [men's team] get paid more just to show up than we get paid to win major championships," said Solo. Her team-mate Lloyd, who was named the best player at last year's World Cup, said they had been patient over the years in waiting for action to deliver fair pay.

Former Everton and LA Galaxy winger Landon Donovan - who won 157 caps for the US men's team - tweeted his support for the women's team's cause. "#USWNT absolutely deserve to be treated fairly in all ways," he said. "Important to remember that these issues are/can be collectively bargained."

The lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Thursday morning. One of the lawyers representing the players, Jeffrey Kessler, said the women's game generated more income for US Soccer than the men's and it was time to address the "discriminatory and unfair treatment'' they have endured for years. The five players were acting on behalf of all the players, he said.

There has been an ongoing legal battle between the federation and the players' union over collective bargaining. A statement from US Soccer said it had not yet seen the complaint. But it added: "We have been a world leader in women's soccer and are proud of the commitment we have made to building the women's game in the United States over the past 30 years."



My questions are:

Should women be paid the same for the 'same job'? - for example, in a symphony orchestra it would be inconceivable to have a difference

If not, due to publicity, popularity, and 'skill' levels, what proportion of the men's average pay should women receive? 50% / 66% / 75% / 80% etc.

Should the topic even be touched upon? One might argue that it is for each club or organization to bargain how they see fit. But in this case surely they will be open to far more law suits.

So ... in a nutshell, what is the solution to all this??

In my opinion, the American women have a point. To generate all the funds and get paid a pittance just doesnt seem fair to me.
Cmon Football America, give your girls a fair go.

If it’s the MONEY … then:

The USA ladies should be paid the same or actually more than their male counterparts.

The USWNT Generates $8million more than the men each year. And that figure will grow again next year.

The ladies play more games than the men’s national team. And are at the top unlike the rather poor men’s team, who lost to Guatemala 2-0 on Saturday and were very close to not qualifying for the next world cup. Let alone win it.





The issue with women's football is that it has been at such a disadvantage until the world realised how ridiculous the idea that women shouldn't play football was. If we consider that the FA only took responsibility for it fully in 1993, that's over a hundred years behind the men's game. Before that, women were even banned from playing on football league grounds for 50 years (1921-1971).

Last year was a big year for women's football in England (FA Cup final staged at Wembley, 3rd at world cup) but it also highlighted how far behind it still is. Of course the quality isn't as good. Even now girls who are very talented at football haven't pursued football as a career because it's not the best option for them. Until you had exactly the same opportunity from the grassroots ages up to professional status, we can't know whether women's football isn't as good as mens. It's the fastest growing game ... but will it continue to boom?

I for one, certainly like watching the USA women more than the men..

I'm sure their photo-shoots generate more income

And down here in NZ, we have a very good womens side, doing far far better than their mens counterparts at the moment. I would think that they too, are getting paid sweet FA