CHICAGO, IL — In unprecedented collective bargaining agreements, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has agreed to terms with both the United States Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) and the United States National Soccer Team Players Association (USNSTPA) that achieves equal pay for the men’s and women’s national teams.
“The accomplishments in this CBA are a testament to the incredible efforts of WNT players on and off the field,” USWNTPA President Becky Sauerbrunn said in a statement on the agreements. “The gains we have been able to achieve are both because of the strong foundation laid by the generations of WNT players that came before the current team and through our union’s recent collaboration with our counterparts at the USNSTPA and leadership at U.S. Soccer.”
USMNT player and member of the USNSTPA Walker Zimmerman added, “They said equal pay for men and women was not possible, but that did not stop us and we went ahead and achieved it. We hope this will awaken others to the need for this type of change, and will inspire FIFA and others around the world to move in the same direction.”
“This is truly a historic moment,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “These agreements have changed the game forever here in the United States and have the potential to change the game around the world.”
LENGTH OF THE AGREEMENTS
Both CBAs run through 2028, which covers the next two World Cup and Olympic cycles for the national teams.
KEY TERMS OF THE AGREEMENTS
Equal pay
Senior National Team members will receive identical appearance fees and game bonuses for official competitions such as the World Cup as well as friendly matches.
World Cup Prize Money: U.S. Soccer has agreed with both Players Associations to pool prize money for participation in the 2022 and 2026 Men’s World Cup and the 2023 and 2027 Women’s World Cup. Under this arrangement, players on both rosters will receive an equal percentage of the collective prize money from FIFA for their participation and performance in their respective tournaments.
Commercial Revenue Sharing: U.S. Soccer will share a portion of its broadcast, partner, and sponsorship revenue with the USWNT and USMNT. The National Teams will split the revenue equally. The teams will also gain a share of the revenue from ticket sales at U.S. Soccer-controlled home games with bonus amounts for matches that sell out.
Playing and Training Environments
The CBAs bring the quality of training and playing environments more into alignment on items ranging from travel, hotel accommodations, and staffing to playing venues and field surfaces.
The Agreements also include protections against harassment. It sets in place rules allowing players to report improper conduct anonymously and by text message.
Other Benefits
Child care during Senior National Team camps and matches will now be extended to players on both the women’s and men’s teams.
U.S. Soccer will offer a 401(k) retirement plan for all USWNT and USMNT players with a matching contribution of up to 5% of players’ compensation.
In recognition of the additional work USWNT players performed representing their country at the Olympic Games, the CBA includes additional health/dental, parental leave, and short-term disability benefits to a select group of “Benefits” players. These players are chosen each year by the USWNT head coach.
IMPACT ON USWNT PLAYERS ON NWSL ROSTERS
USWNT players on National Women’s Soccer League teams will no longer have their salaries paid by U.S. Soccer and no longer receive guaranteed salaries.
Further, the USWNTPA CBA stipulates that U.S. Soccer will plan National Team camps as far in advance as is feasible. Better predictability in the USWNT schedule allows players to contribute to their club team and help grow the NWSL fan base.
HOW THE CBA AFFECTS THE USWNT EQUAL PAY LAWSUIT
The terms of the CBAs have been ratified by the members of both Players Associations and were approved by the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. It is described as a “necessary and critical step” to the resolution of the USWNT’s Equal Pay lawsuit. “We now await the final approval of the settlement by the class members and the Court,” U.S. Soccer said in a press release.
“I am grateful for the commitment and collaboration of both the men’s and women’s National Teams and I am incredibly proud of the hard work that has led to this moment,” said Cindy Parlow Cone. “Everyone who cares about our sport should share in this pride as we look forward to working together to grow soccer for generations to come.”
USWNT veteran and Player’s Association President Becky Sauerbrunn concluded, “We hope that this agreement and its historic achievements in not only providing equal pay but also in improving the training and playing environment for the National Team players will similarly serve as the foundation for continued growth of women’s soccer both in the United States and abroad.”
