The U.S. women’s national team has “embarked on a bruising and historic legal fight for equality” against the U.S. Soccer Federation, as players claim they have been “discriminated against, paid less and treated worse” than their men’s counterpart, according to CBS’ Norah O’Donnell. USWNT MF Carli Lloyd said, “We feel like we’re treated like second-class citizens, because they don’t care as much about us as they do about the men.” USWNT D Becky Sauerbrunn: “When you compare this federation to all the other federations across the globe, they have invested the most money in this women’s program. … That’s why we’ve gotten as far as we have. But to be paid equally, it’s not about what they think is fair. It’s what is fair.” O’Donnell noted the USWNT’s fight is “only with U.S. Soccer, not the U.S. men’s team.” The USWNT’s contract expires at the end of the year, and going on strike remains a possibility. Sauerbrunn said, “It would be a discussion that we would have to have.” USSF President Sunil Gulati declined to be interviewed for the report.
MONEY MATTERS: O’Donnell outlined some points of the current agreement between the USSF and the USWNT, noting it includes a “pay structure the women themselves wanted and agreed to in 2005, and again in 2013.” There is a “consistent salary of up to $72,000 a year and bonuses for wins of $1,350.” Players also get “health insurance and maternity leave.” The USMNT gets “no guaranteed salary and fewer personal benefits, but they can make as much as $17,625 for a win.” Former USWNT Hope Solo two years ago “convinced the team to hire” attorney Rich Nichols in order to “get them a better contract.” Nichols said the USWNT wants “equal pay” in a deal from the USSF. O’Donnell asked, “What does equal mean? You want the same agreement the men have?” Nichols: “We want the same money that the men are making, exactly. That’s $5,000 minimum (per game), that’s that $8,000 bonus if you tie a game and the $17,625 if you win. We want equal money.” Lloyd said the USWNT should be paid more than the men’s team. She said, “We win. We’re successful. We should get what we deserve” ("60 Minutes," CBS, 11/20).
